Adjustable communication based on available bandwidth and power capacity

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector configured to grasp tissue. The end effector comprises a jaw, and a staple cartridge seatable in the jaws, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a sensor array. The surgical instrument further comprises a power source configured to supply power to the staple cartridge, and a transmission system configured to wirelessly transmit at least one of the power and a data signal between the staple cartridge and the surgical instrument, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to detect a bandwidth of data transmission through the transmission system, detect a discharge rate of the power source, and select a sensor sampling rate of the sensor array based on a detected value of the bandwidth and a detected value of the bandwidth and a detected value of the discharge rate.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation under 37 C.F.R. § 1.53(b) ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,276 filed Feb. 26, 2021, nowU.S. Pat. No. ______, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in variousarrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staplecartridges for use therewith that are designed to staple and cut tissue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments described herein, together withadvantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings asfollows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument in accordance withat least one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a controller of a robotic surgicalsystem;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the robotic surgical system of FIG. 2comprising a plurality of robotic surgical arms which each operablysupport a surgical instrument thereon;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a robotic surgical arm illustrated in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 5A is an exploded view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the distal end of the staple cartridgeof FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 5C is an elevational view of the distal end of the staple cartridgeof FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a communications system between a surgicalinstrument and a staple cartridge in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a communications system between a surgicalinstrument and a staple cartridge in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a communications system between a surgicalinstrument and a staple cartridge in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 8A is a segment of the schematic of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 8B is a partial perspective view of the surgical instrument of FIG.8 illustrated with some components removed;

FIG. 8C is a partial perspective view of a cartridge jaw of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 8 illustrated with the staple cartridge removed;

FIG. 8D is a partial perspective view of the surgical instrument of FIG.8 illustrated in a closed, or clamped, configuration;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a communications system between a surgicalinstrument and a staple cartridge in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of a communications system between a surgicalinstrument and a staple cartridge in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge positioned in acartridge jaw in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 11A is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 11 ;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 11removed from the cartridge jaw;

FIG. 11C is an exploded view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 11D is a perspective view of a sled of the staple cartridge of FIG.11 ;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance withat least one embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for optimizing sensor data collection,transmission, and/or processing, in accordance with at least one aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for optimizing sensor data collection,transmission, and/or processing, in accordance with at least one aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for optimizing sensor data collection,transmission, and/or processing, in accordance with at least one aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating various featuresof a surgical system, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating various featuresof a staple cartridge, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a table illustrating a correlation between a sampling rate(S) of a sensor array and corresponding values of a bandwidth capacity(B), a discharge rate (D), and a remaining capacity (R), in accordancewith at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for monitoring and addressing signalinterference in wireless power and/or data signal transmission, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for transfer efficiency in wirelesspower transmission, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates an implementation of a first antenna circuit and asecond antenna circuit of a wireless transmission system of for powertransfer between a surgical instrument 1022 and a staple cartridge, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 illustrates an adjustable series RLC (resistor, inductor,capacitor) circuit, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 23 illustrates an adjustable parallel RLC circuit, in accordancewith at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a graph illustrating a resonant state of the adjustableseries RLC circuit 1130, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for improving power conservation oroptimizing power consumption by a staple cartridge, in accordance withat least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1150 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for optimizing a wireless transmissionof power and/or data signal across a transmission system 1045, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for calibrating a sensor array of asurgical instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for modulating a control parameter ofthe surgical instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector including astaple cartridge and an anvil separated by a stop member, in a closedconfiguration of the end effector with no tissue therebetween, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for modulating a control parameter ofthe surgical instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for modulating a sensor parameter ofthe sensor array, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 32 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for modulating a sensor parameter ofthe sensor array, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 33 is a top schematic view of a staple cartridge, in accordancewith at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 illustrates a diagram of a cartridge comprising a plurality ofsensors coupled to a control circuit through a set of coils to transferpower and data between the cartridge and a control circuit located in aninstrument housing, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 35 illustrates a block diagram of a surgical instrument configuredor programmed to control the distal translation of a displacementmember, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view of an end effector of a surgicalstapling and cutting instrument, in accordance with at least one aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 37 depicts an example tissue compression sensor system, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 38A and 38B are schematic illustrations of a tissue contactcircuit showing the completion of the circuit upon contact with tissue apair of spaced apart contact plates, in accordance with at least oneaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 39 is a schematic illustration of a surgical instrument comprisinga sensor monitoring and processing circuit, in accordance with at leastone aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 40 is a schematic illustration of a portion of an end effectorcomprising an anvil and staple cartridge including sensor arrays, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 41 is a partial cutaway view of the cartridge of FIG. 40 comprisinga plurality of independently addressable sensors, in accordance with atleast one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 42 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of monitoring multiplesensors, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 43 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of monitoring multiplesensors, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 44 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of monitoring multiplesensors, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 45 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of monitoring multiplesensors, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 46 is an exploded view of an end effector comprising a plurality ofsensor arrays, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 47 is a schematic illustration of the first and second sensorarrays positioned in the pan or retainer of the cartridge base, thefirst and second sensor arrays shown coupled to an electronic circuit,in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 48 illustrates a perspective view of a staple-forming pocket of ananvil of including an electrically conductive circuit element, inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 49 illustrates a perspective view of the staple-forming pocket ofFIG. 48 after the electrically conductive circuit element has beensevered by a staple leg during proper formation of the staple leg, inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 50 illustrates a distal sensor plug comprising an electroniccircuit configured to monitor and process signals from the first andsecond sensor arrays, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 51 is a method of monitoring internal systems of a staple cartridgeto detect and track motion status of cartridge components, in accordancewith at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application also owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Feb. 26, 2021 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,269, entitled METHOD OF        POWERING AND COMMUNICATING WITH A STAPLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0273306;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,273, entitled METHOD OF        POWERING AND COMMUNICATING WITH A STAPLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0273307;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,283, entitled ADJUSTMENT        TO TRANSFER PARAMETERS TO IMPROVE AVAILABLE POWER, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0273300;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,345, entitled MONITORING        OF MANUFACTURING LIFE-CYCLE, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2022/0273301;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,350, entitled MONITORING        OF MULTIPLE SENSORS OVER TIME TO DETECT MOVING CHARACTERISTICS        OF TISSUE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2022/0273291;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,353, entitled MONITORING        OF INTERNAL SYSTEMS TO DETECT AND TRACK CARTRIDGE MOTION STATUS,        now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0273302;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,357, entitled DISTAL        COMMUNICATION ARRAY TO TUNE FREQUENCY OF RF SYSTEMS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0273292;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,364, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SENSOR ARRAY, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2022/0273293;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,373, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SENSING ARRAY AND A TEMPERATURE CONTROL        SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2022/0273303;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,378, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING AN INFORMATION ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0273304;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,407, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A POWER MANAGEMENT CIRCUIT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2022/0273308;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,421, entitled STAPLING        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SEPARATE POWER ANTENNA AND A DATA        TRANSFER ANTENNA, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2022/0273305;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,438, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING A POWER TRANSFER COIL, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0273294; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/186,451, entitled STAPLING        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SIGNAL ANTENNA, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2022/0278438.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Oct. 29, 2020 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,179, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A RELEASABLE CLOSURE DRIVE LOCK;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,190, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A STOWED CLOSURE ACTUATOR STOP;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,198, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN INDICATOR WHICH INDICATES THAT AN        ARTICULATION DRIVE IS ACTUATABLE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,205, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION INDICATOR;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,258, entitled METHOD FOR        OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,206, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,215, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW ALIGNMENT SYSTEM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,229, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING SEALABLE INTERFACE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,180, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LIMITED TRAVEL SWITCH;    -   U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/756,615, application        entitled SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY;    -   U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/756,620, entitled        SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,188, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A STAGED VOLTAGE REGULATION START-UP        SYSTEM; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/084,193, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR CONFIGURED TO SENSE WHETHER AN        ARTICULATION DRIVE OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IS ACTUATABLE.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 11, 2020 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,303, entitled METHODS        FOR STAPLING TISSUE USING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0345353;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,304, entitled        ARTICULATION ACTUATORS FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0345354;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,305, entitled        ARTICULATION DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS ON A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0345446;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,307, entitled SHAFT        ROTATION ACTUATOR ON A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/03453549;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,308, entitled        ARTICULATION CONTROL MAPPING FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0345355;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,309, entitled        INTELLIGENT FIRING ASSOCIATED WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0345356;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,310, entitled        INTELLIGENT FIRING ASSOCIATED WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0345357;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,311, entitled ROTATABLE        JAW TIP FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2020/0345358;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,312, entitled TISSUE        STOP FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2020/0345359; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,313, entitled        ARTICULATION PIN FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0345360.

The entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/840,715, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ADAPTIVE CONTROLSYSTEM, filed Apr. 30, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Feb. 21, 2019 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,658, entitled METHODS        FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE        ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0298350;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,670, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A LOCKOUT KEY CONFIGURED TO LIFT A FIRING        MEMBER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0298340;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,675, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLERS WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAINTAINING A FIRING MEMBER        THEREOF IN A LOCKED CONFIGURATION UNLESS A COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE        HAS BEEN INSTALLED THEREIN, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0298354;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,685, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING CO-OPERATING LOCKOUT FEATURES, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0298341;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,693, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT AND AN EXTERIOR ACCESS        ORIFICE TO PERMIT ARTIFICIAL UNLOCKING OF THE LOCKOUT, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0298342;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,704, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING DEVICES WITH FEATURES FOR BLOCKING ADVANCEMENT OF A        CAMMING ASSEMBLY OF AN INCOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE INSTALLED THEREIN,        now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0298356;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,707, entitled STAPLING        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A DEACTIVATABLE LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2019/0298347;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,741, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2019/0298357;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,762, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING DEVICES WITH CARTRIDGE COMPATIBLE CLOSURE AND FIRING        LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication        No. 2019/0298343;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,666, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS,        now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0298352;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,672, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING DEVICES WITH ASYMMETRIC CLOSURE FEATURES, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0298353;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,678, entitled ROTARY        DRIVEN FIRING MEMBERS WITH DIFFERENT ANVIL AND CHANNEL        ENGAGEMENT FEATURES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0298355; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,682, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING DEVICE WITH SEPARATE ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE AND FIRING        SYSTEMS AND FIRING MEMBER THAT ENGAGES BOTH JAWS WHILE FIRING,        now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0298346.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. ProvisionalPatent applications that were filed on Feb. 19, 2019 and which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,310,        entitled METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT        HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,319,        entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED LOCKOUT        SYSTEMS; and    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,309,        entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN        CLOSURE SYSTEMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. ProvisionalPatent applications, filed on Mar. 28, 2018, each of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,302,        entitled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED        COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,294,        entitled DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS        AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,300,        entitled SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,309,        entitled SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN        OPERATING THEATER;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,310,        entitled COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,291,        entitled USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO        DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,296,        entitled ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,333,        entitled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND        RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,327,        entitled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND        AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,315,        entitled DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS        NETWORK;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,313,        entitled CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,320,        entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL        PLATFORMS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,307,        entitled AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL        PLATFORMS; and    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,323,        entitled SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL        PLATFORMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. ProvisionalPatent application, filed on Mar. 30, 2018, which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/650,887,        entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplication, filed on Dec. 4, 2018, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,423, entitled METHOD OF        COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY        DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0200981.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Aug. 20, 2018 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,101, entitled METHOD FOR        FABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2020/0054323;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,183, entitled REINFORCED        DEFORMABLE ANVIL TIP FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVIL, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,912,559;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,150, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLER ANVILS WITH STAPLE DIRECTING PROTRUSIONS AND TISSUE        STABILITY FEATURES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2020/0054326;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,098, entitled        FABRICATING TECHNIQUES FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054322;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,140, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLER ANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID        TISSUE PINCH, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,779,821;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,081, entitled METHOD FOR        OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054320;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,094, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054321;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,097, entitled POWERED        SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVERT        LINEAR DRIVE MOTIONS TO ROTARY DRIVE MOTIONS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0054328;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,104, entitled POWERED        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING AND LOCKING        ARRANGEMENTS FOR LINKING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM TO A        FIRING DRIVE SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,842,492;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,119, entitled        ARTICULATABLE MOTOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DEDICATED        ARTICULATION MOTOR ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2020/0054330;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,160, entitled SWITCHING        ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOTOR POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,856,870; and    -   U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/660,252, entitled        SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications and U.S. patents that are each herein incorporated byreference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,185, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF,        now U.S. Pat. No. 10,639,035;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,230, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2018/0168649;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,221, entitled LOCKOUT        ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,835,247;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,209, entitled SURGICAL        END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,588,632;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,198, entitled LOCKOUT        ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL        ASSEMBLIES, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,610,224;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,240, entitled SURGICAL        END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168651;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,939, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES        THEREIN, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,835,246;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,941, entitled SURGICAL        TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN        CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND        ARTICULATION AND FIRING SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,736,629;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,943, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,667,811;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,950, entitled SURGICAL        TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,588,630;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,945, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES        THEREIN, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,893,864;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,946, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2018/0168633;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,951, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW        OPENING DISTANCE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,568,626;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,953, entitled METHODS OF        STAPLING TISSUE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,675,026;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,954, entitled FIRING        MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL        END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,624,635;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,955, entitled SURGICAL        END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,813,638;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,948, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2018/0168584;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,956, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,588,631;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,958, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING        SYSTEM ACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT,        now U.S. Pat. No. 10,639,034;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,947, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES        THEREIN, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,568,625;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,896, entitled METHOD FOR        RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2018/0168597;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,898, entitled        STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES        OF STAPLES, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,537,325;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,899, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,758,229;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,901, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISING WINDOWS        DEFINED THEREIN, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,667,809;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,902, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,888,322;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,904, entitled STAPLE        FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/OR SPENT        CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,881,401;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,905, entitled FIRING        ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,695,055;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,907, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A        FIRING ASSEMBLY LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication        No. 2018/0168608;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,908, entitled FIRING        ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2018/0168609;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,909, entitled FIRING        ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168610;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,920, entitled        STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,499,914;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,913, entitled ANVIL        ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2018/0168614;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,914, entitled METHOD OF        DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES        WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2018/0168615;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,893, entitled        BILATERALLY ASYMMETRIC STAPLE-FORMING POCKET PAIRS, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,682,138;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,929, entitled CLOSURE        MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS        WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,667,810;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,911, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATABLE CLOSING AND FIRING        SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,448,950;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,927, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168625;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,917, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS,        now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168617;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,900, entitled        STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS        AND POCKET SIDEWALLS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,898,186;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,931, entitled        NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR        SURGICAL STAPLERS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2018/0168627;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,915, entitled FIRING        MEMBER PIN ANGLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,779,823;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,897, entitled        STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING        SURFACE GROOVES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2018/0168598;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,922, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,426,471;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,924, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,758,230;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,910, entitled ANVIL        HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,485,543;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,903, entitled CLOSURE        MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,617,414;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,906, entitled FIRING        MEMBER PIN CONFIGURATIONS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,856,868;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,188, entitled STEPPED        STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,537,324;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,192, entitled STEPPED        STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES,        now U.S. Pat. No. 10,687,810;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,206, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168586;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,226, entitled DURABILITY        FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication        No. 2018/0168648;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,222, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING        FEATURES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2018/0168647;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,236, entitled CONNECTION        PORTIONS FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2018/0168650;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,887, entitled METHOD FOR        ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND,        ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,835,245;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,889, entitled SHAFT        ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR        USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2018/0168590;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,890, entitled SHAFT        ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE AND RETRACTABLE        SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,675,025;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,891, entitled SHAFT        ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A        ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2018/0168592;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,892, entitled SURGICAL        SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO AN ARTICULATION        STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,918,385;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,894, entitled SHAFT        ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,492,785;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,895, entitled SHAFT        ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,542,982;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,916, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2018/0168575;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,918, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2018/0168618;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,919, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2018/0168619;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,921, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONFIGURED TO        DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,687,809;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,923, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2018/0168623;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,925, entitled JAW        ACTUATED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A        FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNLESS AN UNFIRED        CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,517,595;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,926, entitled AXIALLY        MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS        TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2018/0168577;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,928, entitled PROTECTIVE        COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOVABLE JAW        AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2018/0168578;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,930, entitled SURGICAL        END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR        OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2018/0168579;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,932, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT        ARRANGEMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2018/0168628;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,933, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE        LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,603,036;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,934, entitled        ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN        ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF A JAW CLOSURE        SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,582,928;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,935, entitled LATERALLY        ACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END        EFFECTOR OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN AN ARTICULATED        CONFIGURATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,524,789;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,936, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE        AMPLIFICATION FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,517,596;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,996, entitled FASTENER        CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS,        now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0297228;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,006, entitled FASTENER        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING FASTENER CAVITIES INCLUDING FASTENER        CONTROL FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,010,324;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,991, entitled SURGICAL        FASTENER CARTRIDGES WITH DRIVER STABILIZING ARRANGEMENTS, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,833,241;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,004, entitled SURGICAL        END EFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,369;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,008, entitled FASTENER        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,299,792;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,997, entitled FASTENER        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING DEPLOYABLE TISSUE ENGAGING MEMBERS, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,561,422;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,002, entitled FASTENER        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING TISSUE CONTROL FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No.        9,877,721;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,013, entitled FASTENER        CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER ARRANGEMENTS, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0297233; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,016, entitled FASTENER        CARTRIDGE INCLUDING A LAYER ATTACHED THERETO, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,470,768.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,775, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0367695;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,807, entitled STAPLING        SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,702,270;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,834, entitled STAMPED        STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,542,979;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,788, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,675,024; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,818, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,893,863.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,218, entitled        SURGICAL FASTENER, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D826,405;    -   U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,227, entitled        SURGICAL FASTENER, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D822,206;    -   U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,259, entitled        SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D847,989;        and    -   U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,264, entitled        SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D850,617.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 1, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,325, entitled METHOD FOR        OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2017/0281171;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,321, entitled MODULAR        SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,271,851;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,326, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE        DISPLAY FIELD, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,433,849;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,263, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,307,159;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,262, entitled ROTARY        POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLE BAILOUT        SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,357,246;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,277, entitled SURGICAL        CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE        MEMBER, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,531,874;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,296, entitled        INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END        EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,413,293;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,258, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,342,543;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,278, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF        TISSUE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,420,552;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,284, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2017/0281186;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,295, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,856,867;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,300, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,456,140;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,196, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,568,632;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,203, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,542,991;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,210, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,478,190;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,324, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,314,582;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,335, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,485,542;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,339, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2017/0281173;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,253, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES        HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,413,297;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,304, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,285,705;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,331, entitled ANVIL        MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,376,263;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,336, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,709,446;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,312, entitled CIRCULAR        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0281189;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,309, entitled CIRCULAR        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,675,021; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,349, entitled CIRCULAR        STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,682,136.

Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which were filed on Dec. 30, 2015 whichare each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,488, entitled MECHANISMS        FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,292,704;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,525, entitled MECHANISMS        FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,368,865; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,552, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS,        now U.S. Pat. No. 10,265,068.

Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which were filed on Feb. 9, 2016, whichare each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,220, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END        EFFECTOR, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,245,029;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,228, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,433,837;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,196, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY        CONSTRAINT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,413,291;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,206, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE        RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,653,413;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,215, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0224332;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,227, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK        ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2017/0224334;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,235, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN        ARTICULATION SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,245,030;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,230, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM        ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,588,625; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,245, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,470,764.

Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which were filed on Feb. 12, 2016, whichare each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,254, entitled MECHANISMS        FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,258,331;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,259, entitled MECHANISMS        FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,448,948;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,275, entitled MECHANISMS        FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2017/0231627; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,289, entitled MECHANISMS        FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2017/0231628.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 18, 2015 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,925, entitled SURGICAL        END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,182,818;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,941, entitled SURGICAL        END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,052,102;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,933, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING        FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS SPENT OR MISSING,        now U.S. Pat. No. 10,154,841;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,914, entitled MOVABLE        FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,405,863;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,900, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM        STRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION        SUPPORT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,335,149;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,885, entitled DUAL        ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE        SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,368,861; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,876, entitled PUSH/PULL        ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,178,992.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 6, 2015 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,746, entitled POWERED        SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,246;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,795, entitled MULTIPLE        LEVEL THRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,441,279;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,832, entitled ADAPTIVE        TISSUE COMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURE RATES FOR        MULTIPLE TISSUE TYPES, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,687,806;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,935, entitled OVERLAID        MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE        TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,548,504;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,831, entitled MONITORING        SPEED CONTROL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTOR FOR POWERED        SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,895,148;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,859, entitled TIME        DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY,        CREEP, AND VISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,052,044;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,817, entitled        INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,        now U.S. Pat. No. 9,924,961;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,844, entitled CONTROL        TECHNIQUES AND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH        SELECT CONTROL PROCESSING FROM HANDLE, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,045,776;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,837, entitled SMART        SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING, now U.S. Pat. No.        9,993,248;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,765, entitled SYSTEM FOR        DETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A        SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,617,412;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,799, entitled SIGNAL AND        POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,901,342; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,780, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,245,033.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Feb. 27, 2015, and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,045,779;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,546, entitled SURGICAL        APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER        OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE        BAND, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,180,463;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,560, entitled SURGICAL        CHARGING SYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE        BATTERIES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2016/0249910;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,566, entitled CHARGING        SYSTEM THAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A        BATTERY, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,182,816;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,555, entitled SYSTEM FOR        MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED,        now U.S. Pat. No. 10,321,907;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,542, entitled REINFORCED        BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,931,118;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,548, entitled POWER        ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,245,028;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,526, entitled ADAPTABLE        SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,993,258;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,541, entitled MODULAR        STAPLING ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,226,250; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562, entitled SURGICAL        APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER, now U.S.        Pat. No. 10,159,483.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Dec. 18, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,478, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND        MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,374;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,483, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,188,385;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,139, entitled DRIVE        ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S.        Pat. No. 9,844,375;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,148, entitled LOCKING        ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE        SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,748;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,130, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A        DISCRETE NON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,245,027;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,004,501;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,117, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING        BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,309;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,154, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING        BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,968,355;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM,        now U.S. Pat. No. 9,987,000; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM,        now U.S. Pat. No. 10,117,649.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 1, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR        SIGNAL COMMUNICATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,700,309;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323, entitled ROTARY        POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S.        Pat. No. 9,782,169;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,338, entitled THUMBWHEEL        SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2014/0249557;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,499, entitled        ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT,        now U.S. Pat. No. 9,358,003;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460, entitled MULTIPLE        PROCESSOR MOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,554,794;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358, entitled JOYSTICK        SWITCH ASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.        9,326,767;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481, entitled SENSOR        STRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,468,438;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518, entitled CONTROL        METHODS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT        PORTIONS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2014/0246475;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375, entitled ROTARY        POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM,        now U.S. Pat. No. 9,398,911; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SOFT STOP, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,986.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,687,230;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,193, entitled CONTROL        ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,987;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,053, entitled        INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,883,860;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION        LOCK, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,210, entitled SENSOR        ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,244;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,148, entitled        MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,470,762;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066, entitled DRIVE        SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,        now U.S. Pat. No. 9,629,623;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,117, entitled        ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,726;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,130, entitled DRIVE        TRAIN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,727; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159, entitled METHOD AND        SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.        9,888,919.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplication that was filed on Mar. 7, 2014 and is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111, entitled CONTROL        SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,629,629.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 26, 2014 and are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,106, entitled POWER        MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272582;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,099, entitled        STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,826,977;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,094, entitled        VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272580;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117, entitled POWER        MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE        UP CONTROL, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,013,049;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR        POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES,        now U.S. Pat. No. 9,743,929;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093, entitled FEEDBACK        ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,        now U.S. Pat. No. 10,028,761;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,116, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2015/0272571;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,071, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR, now U.S.        Pat. No. 9,690,362;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,097, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No.        9,820,738;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126, entitled INTERFACE        SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,004,497;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,133, entitled MODULAR        SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2015/0272557;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,081, entitled SYSTEMS        AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT, now U.S. Pat.        No. 9,804,618;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076, entitled POWER        MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE        PROTECTION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,733,663;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,499; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,201,364.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Sep. 5, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,103, entitled CIRCUITRY        AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,111,679;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,119, entitled ADJUNCT        WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S.        Pat. No. 9,724,094;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,908, entitled MONITORING        DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION, now U.S. Pat.        No. 9,737,301;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,895, entitled MULTIPLE        SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR'S OUTPUT OR        INTERPRETATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,757,128;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,110, entitled POLARITY        OF HALL MAGNET TO IDENTIFY CARTRIDGE TYPE, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,016,199;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,098, entitled SMART        CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION, now U.S. Pat.        No. 10,135,242;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,115, entitled MULTIPLE        MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No.        9,788,836; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,108, entitled LOCAL        DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2016/0066913.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 9, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR        DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, now        U.S. Pat. No. 9,826,976;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,581, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE        OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT, now U.S. Pat. No.        9,649,110;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,595, entitled SURGICAL        SYSTEM COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat.        No. 9,844,368;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,588, entitled POWERED        LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,405,857;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,591, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A GAP SETTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,149,680;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,584, entitled MODULAR        MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR        ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS,        now U.S. Pat. No. 9,801,626;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,587, entitled POWERED        SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,612;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586, entitled DRIVE        SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,136,887; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607, entitled MODULAR        MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION        ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,814,460.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 16, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,365,        entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED        BY A SINGLE MOTOR;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,376,        entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,382,        entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,385,        entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION        MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL; and    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,372,        entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED        BY A SINGLE MOTOR.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. ProvisionalPatent applications, filed on Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of each ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341,        entitled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,340,        entitled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS; and    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,339,        entitled ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. ProvisionalPatent applications, filed on Mar. 28, 2018, each of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,302,        entitled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED        COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,294,        entitled DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS        AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,300,        entitled SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,309,        entitled SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN        OPERATING THEATER;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,310,        entitled COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,291,        entitled USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO        DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,296,        entitled ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,333,        entitled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND        RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,327,        entitled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND        AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,315,        entitled DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS        NETWORK;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,313,        entitled CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,320,        entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL        PLATFORMS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,307,        entitled AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL        PLATFORMS; and    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,323,        entitled SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL        PLATFORMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, each of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,641, entitled        INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION        CAPABILITIES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0207911;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,648, entitled        INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH CONDITION HANDLING OF DEVICES        AND DATA CAPABILITIES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication        No. 2019/0206004;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,656, entitled SURGICAL        HUB COORDINATION OF CONTROL AND COMMUNICATION OF OPERATING ROOM        DEVICES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0201141;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,666, entitled SPATIAL        AWARENESS OF SURGICAL HUBS IN OPERATING ROOMS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2019/0206551;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,670, entitled        COOPERATIVE UTILIZATION OF DATA DERIVED FROM SECONDARY SOURCES        BY INTELLIGENT SURGICAL HUBS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0201116;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,677, entitled SURGICAL        HUB CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0201143;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,632, entitled DATA        STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE        ANONYMIZED RECORD, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0205566;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,640, entitled        COMMUNICATION HUB AND STORAGE DEVICE FOR STORING PARAMETERS AND        STATUS OF A SURGICAL DEVICE TO BE SHARED WITH CLOUD BASED        ANALYTICS SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0200863;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,645, entitled SELF        DESCRIBING DATA PACKETS GENERATED AT AN ISSUING INSTRUMENT, now        U.S. Pat. No. 10,892,899;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,649, entitled DATA        PAIRING TO INTERCONNECT A DEVICE MEASURED PARAMETER WITH AN        OUTCOME, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0205567;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,654, entitled SURGICAL        HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0201140;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,663, entitled SURGICAL        SYSTEM DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0201033;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,668, entitled        AGGREGATION AND REPORTING OF SURGICAL HUB DATA, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2019/0201115;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,671, entitled SURGICAL        HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER,        now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201104;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,686, entitled DISPLAY OF        ALIGNMENT OF STAPLE CARTRIDGE TO PRIOR LINEAR STAPLE LINE, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201105;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,700, entitled STERILE        FIELD INTERACTIVE CONTROL DISPLAYS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0205001;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,629, entitled COMPUTER        IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2019/0201112;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,704, entitled USE OF        LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE        PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0206050;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,722, entitled        CHARACTERIZATION OF TISSUE IRREGULARITIES THROUGH THE USE OF        MONO-CHROMATIC LIGHT REFRACTIVITY, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0200905; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,742, entitled DUAL CMOS        ARRAY IMAGING, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0200906.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, each of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,636, entitled ADAPTIVE        CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2019/0206003;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,653, entitled ADAPTIVE        CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL HUBS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2019/0201114;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,660, entitled        CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND        RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0206555;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,679, entitled        CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR LINKING OF LOCAL USAGE TRENDS        WITH THE RESOURCE ACQUISITION BEHAVIORS OF LARGER DATA SET, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201144;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,694, entitled        CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR MEDICAL FACILITY SEGMENTED        INDIVIDUALIZATION OF INSTRUMENT FUNCTION, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2019/0201119;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,634, entitled        CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION        TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2019/0201138;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,706, entitled DATA        HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0206561; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,675, entitled CLOUD        INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES, now U.S. Pat. No.        10,849,697.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, each of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,627, entitled DRIVE        ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201111;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,637, entitled        COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL        PLATFORMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0201139;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,642, entitled CONTROLS        FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2019/0201113;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,676, entitled AUTOMATIC        TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201142;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,680, entitled        CONTROLLERS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201135;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,683, entitled        COOPERATIVE SURGICAL ACTIONS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL        PLATFORMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2019/0201145;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,690, entitled DISPLAY        ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201118; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,711, entitled SENSING        ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201120.

Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and useof the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, andelements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described in the specification. The reader will understandthat the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limitingexamples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein may be representative andillustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgicalsystem, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or“contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements,but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements.Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those oneor more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one ormore features.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician andthe term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician.It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity,spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may beused herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instrumentsare used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are notintended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performinglaparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, thereader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devicesdisclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures andapplications including, for example, in connection with open surgicalprocedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the readerwill further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed hereincan be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a naturalorifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. Theworking portions or end effector portions of the instruments can beinserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted through anaccess device that has a working channel through which the end effectorand elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.

A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effectorextending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and asecond jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staplecartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however,other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is notremovable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. Thesecond jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected fromthe staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the firstjaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned inwhich the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. Thesurgical stapling system further comprises an articulation jointconfigured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated,relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about anarticulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Otherembodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint.

The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge bodyincludes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between theproximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge ispositioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil ispositioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward thestaple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck.Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can bedeployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavitiesdefined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staplecavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows.Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of alongitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on asecond side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staplecavities and staples may be possible.

The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. Thedrivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second,or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. Thedrivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extendsaround the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient membersconfigured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to thecartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positionsand their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between aproximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal positionadjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of rampedsurfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, andthe staples supported thereon, toward the anvil.

Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. Thefiring member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled towardthe distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body isconfigured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slotconfigured to receive the firing member. The firing member furthercomprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam whichengages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, thefirst cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap,between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firingmember also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue capturedintermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for theknife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the rampedsurfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife.

A surgical instrument 10000 is illustrated in FIG. 1 . The surgicalinstrument 10000 comprises a handle 10100 including a handle housing10120, a shaft 10200 extending from the handle 10100, and an endeffector 10400. The end effector 10400 comprises a first jaw 10410configured to receive a staple cartridge and a second jaw 10420 movablerelative to the first jaw 10410. The second jaw 10420 comprises an anvilincluding staple forming pockets defined therein. The surgicalinstrument 10000 further comprises a closure actuator 10140 configuredto drive a closure system of the surgical instrument 10000 and move thesecond jaw 10420 between an unclamped position and a clamped position.The closure actuator 10140 is operably coupled with a closure tube 10240that is advanced distally when the closure actuator 10140 is closed. Insuch instances, the closure tube 10240 contacts the second jaw and camsand/or pushes the second jaw 10420 downwardly into its clamped position.

Further to the above, the second jaw 10420 is pivotably coupled to thefirst jaw 10410 about a pivot axis. In various embodiments, the secondjaw can both translate and rotate as it is being moved into its clampedposition. In various alternative embodiments, a surgical instrumentcomprises a staple cartridge jaw that is movable between an unclampedposition and a clamped position relative to an anvil jaw. In any event,the handle 10100 comprises a lock configured to releasably hold theclosure actuator 10140 in its clamped position. The handle 10100 furthercomprises release actuators 10180 b on opposite sides thereof which,when actuated, unlock the closure actuator 10140 such that the endeffector 10400 can be re-opened. In various alternative embodiments, thehandle 10100 comprises an electric motor configured to move the closuretube 10240 proximally and/or distally when actuated by the clinician.

The end effector 10400 is attached to the shaft 10200 about anarticulation joint 10500 and is rotatable within a plane about anarticulation axis. The shaft 10200 defines a longitudinal axis and theend effector 10400 is articulatable between an unarticulated position inwhich the end effector 10400 is aligned with the longitudinal axis andarticulated positions in which the end effector 10400 extends at atransverse angle relative to the longitudinal axis. In variousembodiments, the surgical instrument 10000 comprises a firstarticulation joint which permits the end effector 10400 to bearticulated in a first plane and a second articulation joint whichpermits the end effector 10400 to be articulated in a second plane whichis orthogonal to the first plane, for example. The handle 10100comprises at least one electric motor and a control system configured tocontrol the operation of the electric motor in response to articulationactuators 10160 and 10170. The electric motor comprises a brushless DCmotor; however, the electric motor can comprise any suitable motor, suchas a brushed DC motor, for example.

The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,683, entitled POWEREDSURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRINGSYSTEM, which issued on Dec. 11, 2018, is incorporated by referenceherein. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0125481, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, whichpublished on May 10, 2018, is incorporated by reference herein. Thehandle 10100 further comprises a replaceable and/or rechargeable battery10300 attachable to the handle housing which powers the surgicalinstrument 10000. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,632,525,entitled POWER CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS ANDBATTERIES, which issued on Jan. 21, 2014, is incorporated by referenceherein.

Further to the above, the shaft 10200 is rotatable about a longitudinalaxis extending through the shaft 10200. The shaft 10200 is rotatablyconnected to the handle 10100 about a rotation joint 10220 and the shaft10200 comprises one or more finger grooves defined therein whichfacilitate a clinician using the stapling instrument 10000 to rotate theshaft 10200. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 10000comprises an electric motor and a rotation actuator that, when actuatedby the clinician, powers the electric motor to rotate the shaft 10200 ina first direction or a second direction depending on the direction inwhich the rotation actuator is actuated.

Further to the above, the surgical instrument 10000 comprises a staplefiring drive configured to eject the staples out of the staplecartridge. The staple firing drive comprises an electric motor and afiring member which is driven distally through a staple firing stroke bythe electric motor. During the staple firing stroke, the firing memberpushes the sled in the staple cartridge distally to eject the staplesfrom the staple cartridge. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No.9,629,629, entitled CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, whichissued on Apr. 25, 2017, is incorporated by reference herein.

The surgical instrument systems described herein are motivated by anelectric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems describedherein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In certain instances,the motors disclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of arobotically controlled system. U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLEDEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, for example,discloses several examples of a robotic surgical instrument system ingreater detail, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein. The disclosures of International Patent PublicationNo. WO 2017/083125, entitled STAPLER WITH COMPOSITE CARDAN AND SCREWDRIVE, published May 18, 2017, International Patent Publication No. WO2017/083126, entitled STAPLE PUSHER WITH LOST MOTION BETWEEN RAMPS,published May 18, 2017, International Patent Publication No. WO2015/153642, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION,published Oct. 8, 2015, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2017/0265954, filed Mar. 17, 2017, entitled STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVENADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DUAL DISTAL PULLEYS, now U.S. Pat. No.10,350,016, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0265865, filedFeb. 15, 2017, entitled STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPINGELEMENT AND DISTAL PULLEY, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,631,858, and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2017/0290586, entitled STAPLING CARTRIDGE,filed on Mar. 29, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,722,233, are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

Various embodiments disclosed herein may be employed in connection witha robotic surgical system, such as the robotic system 1000 depicted inFIGS. 1-3 , for example. FIG. 1 depicts a master controller 5001 thatmay be used in connection with a robotic arm cart 5100 depicted in FIG.2 . The master controller 5001 and the robotic arm cart 5100, as well astheir respective components and control systems, are collectivelyreferred to herein as a robotic system 5000. Examples of such systemsand devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,524,320, entitledMECHANICAL ACTUATOR INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR ROBOTIC SURGICAL TOOLS, as wellas U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITHROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, which are each herebyincorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties. Thedetails of such systems and devices are not repeated herein for the sakeof brevity. The master controller 5001 includes controls 5003 which aregrasped and manipulated by the surgeon while the surgeon views thepatient via a display 1002. The controls 5003 can comprise manual inputdevices which move with multiple degrees of freedom, for example, andcan further comprise an actuatable trigger for actuating surgicalinstruments, or tools, to close grasping jaws, staple and incise tissue,and/or apply an electrical potential to an electrode, for example.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the robotic arm cart 5100 isconfigured to actuate one or more surgical instruments, such as surgicalinstruments 6000, for example, in response to inputs from the mastercontroller 5001. In various forms, the robotic arm cart 5100 includes abase 5002, arm linkages including set-up joints 5104, and instrumentmanipulators 5106. Such an arrangement can facilitate the rotation of asurgical instrument 6000 around a point in space, which is described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,817,084, entitled REMOTE CENTER POSITIONING DEVICE WITHFLEXIBLE DRIVE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein. This arrangement provides for pivoting rotation of asurgical instrument 6000 about an axis 5112 a, or pitch axis. Thearrangement also provides for rotation of the surgical instrument 6000about an axis 5112 b, or yaw axis. The pitch and yaw axes 5112 a, 5112 bintersect at a remote center 5114, which is aligned along an elongateshaft of the surgical instrument 6000. A surgical instrument 6000 mayhave further degrees of driven freedom, including sliding motion along alongitudinal axis LT-LT. As the surgical instrument 6000 slides alongthe longitudinal axis LT-LT relative to the instrument manipulator 5106(arrow 5112 c), the remote center 5114 remains fixed relative to a base5116 of the instrument manipulator 5106. To move the remote center 5114,linkage 5108 is driven by one or more motors 5120 which move the linkage5108 in response to commands from the master controller 5001 to positionand/or manipulate the surgical instrument 6000 within the surgical site.Various other arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,193,entitled AUTOMATED ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM FOR OPTIMAL POSITIONING, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Additionally, while the data communication between a robotic componentand the processor of the robotic surgical system is primarily describedherein with reference to communication between a surgical instrument, ortool, and the master controller 5001, it should be understood thatsimilar communication may take place between the circuitry of amanipulator, a set-up joint, an endoscope or other image capture device,or the like, and the processor of the robotic surgical system forcomponent compatibility verification, component-type identification,component calibration (such as off-set or the like) communication,confirmation of coupling of the component to the robotic surgicalsystem, or the like. In accordance with at least one aspect, varioussurgical instruments disclosed herein may be used in connection withother robotically-controlled or automated surgical systems and are notnecessarily limited to use with the specific robotic system componentsshown in FIGS. 1-3 and described in the aforementioned references.Various robotic surgery systems and methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,132,368, entitled MULTI-COMPONENT TELEPRESENCE SYSTEM AND METHOD,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

A staple cartridge 11000 is illustrated in FIGS. 5-5C. The staplecartridge 11000 comprises a cartridge body 11100 including a proximalend 11110 and a distal end 11120. The cartridge body 11100 furthercomprises a deck 11130 extending between the proximal end 11110 and thedistal end 11120 and staple cavities 11140 defined in the deck 11130.The staple cavities 11140 are arranged in longitudinal rows on oppositesides of a longitudinal slot 11150 defined in the cartridge body 11100.The longitudinal slot 11150 is configured to receive a tissue cuttingknife therein which is pushed distally during the staple firing stroketo cut tissue captured against the deck 11130 of the staple cartridge11000. The staple cartridge 11000 further comprises a staple 11200positioned in each staple cavity 11140 and staple drivers 11300 whichsupport the staples 11200 and drive the staples 11200 out of the staplecavities 11140 during the staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge11000 further comprises a sled 11400 which is pushed distally by afiring member of the staple firing drive to contact and lift the stapledrivers 11300 toward the deck 11130 of the cartridge body 11100 duringthe staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge 11000 further comprises apan 11700 attached to the cartridge body 11100 which is configured toretain the drivers 11300 and/or staples 11200 from falling out of thebottom of the cartridge body 11100.

The staple cartridge 11000 further comprises an electronic circuit.Although not illustrated in FIGS. 5-5C, the staple cartridge 11000comprises the electronic circuit 11500 depicted in FIGS. 11-11C.Referring to FIGS. 11-11C, the electronic circuit 11500 comprises aproximal end 11510 and a second end 11520. The proximal end 11510comprises a cartridge antenna 11530 that is placed in communication withan instrument antenna 10530 of the surgical instrument 10000 when thestaple cartridge 11000 is seated in a jaw 10410 of the end effector10400. The electronic circuit 11500 comprises a flexible substrate, suchas a flex circuit, for example, conductive traces defined in and/or onthe flexible substrate, and electronic components mounted to theflexible substrate that are in electrical communication with theconductive traces. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit 11500is comprised of an insulator, conductive traces defined in and/or on theinsulator, and electronic components mounted to the flexible substratethat are in electrical communication with the conductive traces.

Further to the above, referring again to FIGS. 11-11C, the electroniccircuit 11500 is embedded in the cartridge body 11100. The cartridgebody 11100 comprises a circuit slot 11160 defined in the deck 11130 andthe electronic circuit 11500 is positioned in the circuit slot 11160.The cartridge body 11100 further comprises a first lateral side 11170, asecond lateral side 11180, and the distal portion 11120 connecting thefirst lateral side 11170 and the second lateral side 11180. The circuitslot 11160 extends around and/or between the longitudinal rows of staplecavities 11140 on the first lateral side 11170 of the cartridge body11100, around the distal portion 11120, and then proximally into thesecond lateral side 11180. Similar to the first lateral side 11170, thecircuit slot 11160 extends around/or between the longitudinal rows ofstaple cavities 11140 on the second lateral side 11180. As a result ofthis arrangement, the electronic circuit 11500 can extend within bothlateral sides of the cartridge body 11100 without having to cross overthe longitudinal slot 11150. Moreover, such an arrangement permits theelectronic circuit 11500 to extend into the distal portion 11120 of thecartridge body 11100. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit11500 is embedded in the cartridge body 11100. In at least oneembodiment, the electronic circuit 11500 is snap-fit and/or press-fitinto the circuit slot 11160. In at least one embodiment, the cartridgebody 11100 is comprised of plastic that is injection molded around atleast a portion of the electronic circuit 11500.

In various embodiments, referring again to FIGS. 11-11C, the staplecartridge 11000 comprises elastomeric connectors which mechanically andelectrically connect sensors 11600 to the cartridge body 11100. In atleast one embodiment, the elastomeric connectors comprise conductive andinsulative regions in a rubber or elastomeric matrix to produce overallanisotropic conductive properties. The matrix is molded into athree-dimensional shape and then attached to the cartridge body 11100.In various embodiments, the shape of the matrix matches features on thecartridge body. In at least one embodiment, short, fine metallic wiresare embedded in a rubber sheet to connect the sensors 11600 to a controlsystem of the staple cartridge 11000. In at least one instance, themetallic wires are comprised of silver, for example. In at least oneinstance, the density of the metallic wires in the matrix is betweenabout 300 wires/cm2 and about 2000/cm2, for example. At the surfaces ofthe rubber sheet, the ends of the wires either extend from the surfacesor are bent back toward the rubber substrate. At least one material,trademarked ZEBRA, is available from Fuji Polymer Industries Company.

In various embodiments, a sensor system comprises a plurality ofsections which are selectively powered by the control system of thestaple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the sensor systemcomprises a first sensor section and a second sensor section and aprocessor of the control system is configured to power only the firstsensor section during a first operating mode, only the second sensorsection during a second operating mode, and both sensor sections duringa third operating mode, for example. Such embodiments can reduce theamount of heat produced by the staple cartridge, among other things. Invarious embodiments, the first sensor section and the second sensorsection comprise the same number of sensors while, in other embodiments,the first sensor section and the second sensor section have a differentnumber of sensors. In certain embodiments, the first sensor sectioncomprises a first density of connection wires therein and the secondsensor section comprises a second density of connection wires thereinwhich is different than the first density.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the cartridge antenna 11530 comprises a coil 11540that is defined in a plane which is parallel to a plane defined by acoil 10540 of the instrument antenna 10530. The coils 10540 and 11540are sized, configured, and positioned to provide a sufficient and/oroptimal transfer coefficient such that data and/or power can beefficiently transmitted between the instrument antenna 10530 and thecartridge antenna 11530. In various instances, the instrument coil 10540comprises a primary coil and the cartridge coil 11540 comprises asecondary coil and, in use, power is transmitted wirelessly from theinstrument coil 10540 to the cartridge coil 11540. In at least thisembodiment, data signals can also be transmitted between the instrumentcoil 10540 and the cartridge coil 11540. More specifically, data signalscan be transmitted from the surgical instrument 10000 to the staplecartridge 11000 and/or from the staple cartridge 11000 to the surgicalinstrument 10000. Any suitable software protocol and/or hardwarecomponents can be used to co-ordinate the transmission of power and dataacross the single pair of coils comprising the instrument coil 10540 andthe cartridge coil 11540. In at least one embodiment, power and datasignals are transmitted simultaneously between the instrument coil 10540and the cartridge coil 11540. In at least one alternative embodiment,referring to FIG. 7 , power and data signals are transmittedsequentially between the instrument coil 10540 and the cartridge coil11540. In various embodiments, the instrument antenna 10530 and/or thecartridge antenna 11530 comprises a multiplexer, for example, whichco-ordinates the transmission of signals between the antennas 10530 and11530.

Referring again to FIG. 6 , the surgical instrument 10000 comprises aprocessor 10610 in communication with the instrument antenna 10530. Inat least one embodiment, the processor 10610 comprises a near fieldcommunication (NFC) reader chip, for example. A NFC reader chip useshigh frequency radio frequency identification at a frequency of 13.56MHz at a data rate of about 426 kbits/s, for example. In variousinstances, the processor 10610 comprises a low frequency RFID readerwhich communicates at a frequency between about 120 kHz and about 150kHz, for example. In various instances, the processor 10610 comprises ahigh frequency RFID reader which communicates at a frequency of about13.6 MHz, for example. In various instances, the processor 10610comprises an ultra-high frequency RFID reader which communicates at afrequency of about 868 MHz, for example. The entire disclosure of U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0405301, entitled METHOD FORAUTHENTICATING THE COMPATIBILITY OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH A SURGICALINSTRUMENT, which published on Dec. 31, 2020, is incorporated byreference herein. In various instances, the processor 10610 comprises aBluetooth component which communicates at a frequency of about 2.4 GHz,for example. In various instances, the processor 10610 comprises a Qiwireless charging component which communicates at a frequency betweenabout 105 kHz and about 205 kHz, for example. In any event, theprocessor 10610 comprises input channels and output channels incommunication with the instrument antenna 10530 which facilitate directpeer-to-peer communication with a NFC tag, for example, in communicationwith the cartridge antenna 11530, as discussed below.

Further to the above, the instrument antenna 10530 is configured tosupply power and data signals to the staple cartridge 11000 via thecartridge antenna 11530. As discussed above, the staple cartridgecircuit 11500 comprises a plurality of sensors 11600 which measure atleast one property of the staple cartridge 11000 and/or at least oneproperty of the tissue supported by the staple cartridge 11000. In atleast one embodiment, the sensors 11600 comprise capacitance sensorsconfigured to detect the thickness of the tissue and/or the amount offluid, or edema, contained in the tissue, for example. In at least oneembodiment, the sensors 11600 comprise resistance sensors, such asstrain gauges, for example, which measure the strain, or force loading,within the cartridge body 11100, for example. In any event, the sensors11600 require power to measure a property and produce an output voltagethat is detectable by a cartridge processor 11610 of the staplecartridge 11000. In use, power is delivered to the cartridge coil 11540from the instrument coil 10540, rectified by a rectifier 11620, and thenfiltered by a capacitor 11630 before it is supplied to the sensors11600. The rectifier 11620 is configured to rectify an AC input to a DCoutput for at least one of the output channels of the rectifier 11620.In various instances, the rectifier 11620 is also configured to conductthe AC input to at least one of its output channels withoutrectification. The capacitor 11630 can comprise a low-pass filter and/ora high-pass filter which can filter out noise and/or extraneous signalsreceived by the cartridge antenna 11530. The above-describedarrangement, and/or any other suitable arrangement, can be used tosupply an appropriate voltage potential and current to the sensors 11600and/or the cartridge processor 11610. The output voltages of the sensors11600 are supplied to input gates of the cartridge processor 11610. Inat least one instance, the processor 11610 comprises a multiplexer(MUX), for example, configured to co-ordinate the output signals of thesensors 11600 into a single data signal that is transmitted back to theinstrument antenna 10530 via the cartridge antenna 11530.

Further to the above, the staple cartridge 11000 comprises a NFC tag11640 in communication with the instrument antenna 10530, the rectifier11620, the processor 11610, and the cartridge antenna 11530. The NFC tag11640 comprises an input in communication with the rectifier 11620 whichis configured to control and/or limit the voltage potential applied tothe NFC tag 11640. In at least one instance, the NFC tag 11640 comprisesits own rectifier. Upon receiving an input from the rectifier 11620, theNFC tag 11640 is configured to output a data signal to the cartridgeantenna 11530 which includes data regarding the staple cartridge 11000.The NFC tag 11640 has information stored therein regarding theidentification of the staple cartridge 11000 stored therein which isincluded in the data signal. The data signal output by the NFC tag 11640is transmitted to the instrument antenna 10530 via the cartridge antenna11530 which is then transmitted to a control system of the surgicalinstrument 10000, such as the instrument processor 10610, for example,to verify the identification of, or authenticate, the staple cartridge11000.

In various instances, further to the above, many different types ofstaple cartridges may be useable with the surgical instrument 10000. Forinstance, some staple cartridges may not comprise a sensor array whileother staple cartridges, such as staple cartridge 11000, for example,may comprise one or more sensor arrays. If a staple cartridge does notcomprise a sensor array, the staple cartridge may not need, or cannotuse, the power that can be supplied by the surgical instrument 10000. Assuch, the control system of the surgical instrument 10000 is configuredto supply, or not supply, a power signal to the staple cartridge seatedin the surgical instrument 10000 if the staple cartridge does notproperly respond to an interrogation signal supplied to the staplecartridge by the surgical instrument 10000 during an interrogationprocedure. After a staple cartridge is seated in the surgical instrument10000, in at least one such instance, the control system of the surgicalinstrument 10000 can instruct the instrument processor 10610 to send aninterrogation signal to the instrument antenna 10530 which is emitted toand received by the cartridge antenna 11530. In various instances, theinterrogation signal is emitted with a low power of about 10 mW to about30 mW, for example, at a frequency that will pass through the filteringin the cartridge circuit 11500 so that the interrogation signal reachesthe NFC tag 11640. The NFC tag 11640 is configured to transmit aresponse signal to the cartridge antenna 11530 upon receiving theinterrogation signal. The response signal is emitted by the cartridgeantenna 11530, received by the instrument antenna 10530, and conductedto the instrument processor 10610. If the response signal received bythe instrument processor 10610 matches a response signal expected by theinstrument processor, the staple cartridge 11000 is identified, orauthenticated, by the surgical instrument 10000 and the instrumentprocessor 10610 can supply a high-wattage power signal to the instrumentantenna 10530 to power the staple cartridge 11000. In at least oneinstance, the high-wattage power signal can be about 1 W and/or inexcess of 1 W, for example. In various instances, the wattage of thepower signal supplied to the instrument antenna 10530 can depend on thestaple cartridge that has been identified. For instance, if a first typeof staple cartridge is identified, then a first wattage is used and, ifa second type of staple cartridge is identified, then a second, ordifferent, wattage is used. However, the control system of the surgicalinstrument 10000 is configured to not supply a power signal to theinstrument antenna 10530 if a response signal is not received from thestaple cartridge. If a response signal is received from the staplecartridge seated in the surgical instrument 10000, but not recognized,then the control system can be configured to perform one of tworesponses. In a first instance, the control system is configured to notsupply a power signal to the staple cartridge if the received responsesignal is not recognized while, in a second instance, the control systemis configured to supply a low-power signal if the received responsesignal is not recognized. In at least one instance, the lower powersignal can be about 0.1 W, for example. In such instances, the sensorsand electronic circuit may be sufficiently powered to transmit a returndata signal that includes data from the sensors while reducing the riskof overpowering the staple cartridge.

In various instances, the surgical instrument 10000 is configured toinitiate a cartridge interrogation routine when the surgical instrument10000 is initially powered on and/or when the surgical instrument 10000is woken up from a low-power sleep mode. In such instances, the surgicalinstrument 10000 interrogates the staple cartridge to assess whether tosupply power to the staple cartridge and the level of power to supply tothe surgical instrument 10000. That said, absent additional information,the control system of the surgical instrument 10000 may be unable todifferentiate between whether the staple cartridge is not identifiableor it is missing altogether if a response signal is not receivedfollowing the interrogation signal. To this end, the surgical instrument10000 comprises a cartridge presence sensor configured to detect whethera staple cartridge is seated in the cartridge jaw of the end effector10400. In at least one instance, the cartridge presence sensor comprisesa Hall Effect sensor mounted in the cartridge jaw of the end effector10400 which is configured to detect a metallic element in the staplecartridge, for example. In at least one instance, the cartridge presencesensor comprises a pressure sensor that is compressed by the staplecartridge when the staple cartridge is seated in the cartridge jaw ofthe end effector 10400. In either event, the cartridge presence sensoris in communication with the control system of the surgical instrument10000. If the control system receives a signal that a staple cartridgeis seated in the cartridge jaw but does not receive a response signalfrom the staple cartridge, in various instances, then the control systemdoes not supply a power signal to the staple cartridge but permits thesurgical instrument 10000 to be operated to fire the staples from thestaple cartridge. If the control system receives a signal that a staplecartridge is missing from the cartridge jaw, then the control systemdoes not supply a power signal and it also electronically locks out thestaple firing system until a staple cartridge is seated in the cartridgejaw.

When the staple cartridge 11000 is seated in the cartridge jaw of thesurgical instrument 10000, referring again to FIG. 6 , the power signaland the data signal can be transmitted simultaneously from theinstrument antenna 10530 to the cartridge antenna 11530. Moreover, adata signal can be transmitted from the staple cartridge 11000 to thesurgical instrument 10000 at the same time that power is being deliveredfrom the surgical instrument 10000 to the staple cartridge 11000.Referring now to FIG. 7 , the control system of a surgical instrument10000′ is configured and arranged to supply power and data signalsintermittently to a staple cartridge 11000′. In at least one instance,the control system is configured to alternately deliver low-powersignals and high-power signals to the instrument antenna 10530 torespectively transmit data and power to an electronic circuit 11500′ ofthe staple cartridge 11000′, but not at the same time. In at least onesuch instance, the control system delivers low-power signals having apower of about 0.1 W and high-power signals over 1 W, for example. Asdiscussed above in connection with FIG. 6 , the instrument processor10610 comprises a NFC reader chip that generates and supplies both thepower and data signals to the staple cartridge 11000 simultaneously. Onthe other hand, FIG. 7 depicts a control system including a NFC readerchip 10610′ that generates a data signal and a separate power driver10620′ that generates a power signal. The NFC reader chip 10610′ and thepower driver 10620′ are in communication with the instrument antenna10530 and are configured to sequentially supply the separate data andpower signals to the cartridge antenna 11530 via the instrument antenna10530. In at least one instance, the NFC reader chip 10610′ and thepower driver 10620′ are in communication with a multiplexer, forexample, which co-ordinates the sequential transmission of the data andpower signals to the staple cartridge 11000′.

As discussed above in connection with FIG. 7 , data signals and powersignals are transmitted between the surgical instrument and the staplecartridge 11000′ in an alternating manner. In various instances, thesurgical instrument supplies power to the staple cartridge 11000′ untilthe instrument processor has data to transmit to the staple cartridge11000′. At such point, the instrument processor stops the power signaland then emits the data signal. After the instrument processor hasemitted the data signal, the instrument processor is configured toresume the power signal. The data signal and the power signal aretransmitted at different frequencies, but could be emitted at the samefrequency in other embodiments. In either event, the power signal isemitted at a higher intensity than the data signal. In variousembodiments, the processor of the staple cartridge 11000′ is configuredto emit a pause signal to the surgical instrument when the processor hasdata to transmit to the surgical instrument. After receiving the pausesignal, the instrument processor stops the power signal or does notgenerate the power signal until after receiving the data from the staplecartridge 11000′. In at least one such embodiment, the surgicalinstrument can emit a paused signal back to the staple cartridge 11000′after receiving the pause signal from the staple cartridge. Uponreceiving the paused signal from the surgical instrument, the staplecartridge is configured to emit the data signal to the surgicalinstrument.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 8A, a surgical instrument 10000″ comprisesa data antenna 10530″ and a separate power transmission antenna 10535″that are used to communicate with and supply power to a staple cartridge11000″ seated in a cartridge jaw of the surgical instrument 10000″. Thedata antenna 10530″ is in communication with the NFC reader chip 10610′.The power driver 10620′ is in communication with the power transmissionantenna 10535″. The data antenna 10530″ comprises a coil 10540″ that isaligned with a coil 11540″ of a cartridge data antenna 11530″ when thestaple cartridge 11000″ is seated in the cartridge jaw. In at least oneinstance, the coil 10540″ is wound in a plane which is parallel to, orat least substantially parallel to, a plane that defines the cartridgecoil 11540″. The instrument coil 10540″ and the cartridge coil 11540″are the same size, or at least substantially the same size, but can beany suitable size. The instrument coil 10540″ comprises a primary coilthat comprises a first number of windings and the cartridge coil 11540″comprises a secondary coil that comprises a second number of windingswhich, in at least one embodiment, is greater than the first number ofwindings. Such an arrangement can improve the transmission coefficientbetween the instrument data antenna 10530″ and the cartridge dataantenna 11530″. The power transmission antenna 10535″ comprises a coil10545″ that is aligned with a coil 11545″ of a cartridge power antenna11535″ when the staple cartridge 11000″ is seated in the cartridge jaw.In at least one instance, the instrument coil 10545″ is wound in a planewhich is parallel to, or at least substantially parallel to, a planethat defines the cartridge coil 11545″. The instrument coil 10545″ andthe cartridge coil 11545″ are the same size, or at least substantiallythe same size, but can be any suitable size. The instrument coil 10545″comprises a primary coil that comprises a first number of windings andthe cartridge coil 11545″ comprises a secondary coil that comprises asecond number of windings which, in at least one embodiment, is greaterthan the first number of windings. Such an arrangement can improve thetransmission coefficient between the power transmission antenna 10535″and the cartridge power antenna 11535″.

Further to the above, the staple cartridge 11000″ comprises a rectifier11620 and a capacitor 11630 in communication with the cartridge powerantenna 11535″. Similar to the above, the rectifier 11620 and thecapacitor 11630 are configured to rectify, filter, and/or modify thepower signal supplied to the staple cartridge 11000″ from the powertransmission antenna 10535″ before the power is supplied to a sensor ofthe staple cartridge 11000″. The staple cartridge 11000″ furthercomprises a NFC tag 11640 in communication with the cartridge dataantenna 11530″. Similar to the above, the control system of the surgicalinstrument 10000″ can interrogate the NFC tag 11640 with aninterrogation signal that is generated by the NFC reader chip 10610″ andemitted to the NFC tag 11640 via the coupled data antennas 10530″ and11530″. Upon receiving the interrogation signal, the NFC tag 11640 isconfigured to generate a response signal that is emitted back to the NFCreader chip 10610′ via the coupled data antennas 10530″ and 11530″. TheNFC tag 11640 is also in communication with a cartridge processor 11610″of the staple cartridge 11000″ which, similar to the above, isconfigured to receive data from the cartridge sensors, generate a datasignal comprising the sensor data, and supply the data signal to the NFCtag 11640 and the cartridge data antenna 11530″. The data signalsupplied to the cartridge data antenna 11530″ is transmitted to the NFCreader chip 10610′ via the instrument data antenna 10530″ and is thenused by the control system to interpret a property of the surgicalinstrument 10000″, the staple cartridge 11000″, and/or the tissuecaptured against the staple cartridge 11000″, for example. Notably, thecartridge processor 11610″ is also in communication with the cartridgepower antenna 11535″ of the staple cartridge 11000″ and can, in variousembodiments, supply power to the NFC tag 11640 from the cartridge powerantenna 11535″.

As detailed above, the surgical instrument 10000″ and the staplecartridge 11000″ comprise a first paired antenna system forcommunicating data and a second paired antenna system for communicatingpower. In various embodiments, the first paired antenna system ispositioned on a first lateral side 11170 of the staple cartridge 11000″and the second paired antenna system is positioned on a second, oropposite, lateral side 11180 of the staple cartridge 11000″. In at leastone such embodiment, the cartridge jaw of the surgical instrument 10000″comprises a channel including a bottom wall, a first lateral sidewallextending from a first side of the bottom wall, and a second lateralsidewall extending from a second, or opposite, side of the bottom wall.When the staple cartridge 11000″ is seated in the cartridge jaw, thestaple cartridge 11000″ is positioned between the first lateral sidewalland the second lateral sidewall and pushed downwardly toward the bottomwall until snap features and/or lock features of the staple cartridge11000″ engage the cartridge jaw which releasably lock the staplecartridge 11000″ in place in the cartridge jaw. In at least one suchembodiment, the first instrument antenna is mounted to the firstsidewall and the second instrument antenna is mounted to the secondsidewall and, moreover, the first cartridge antenna is mounted to afirst lateral side of the cartridge body and the second cartridgeantenna is mounted to a second lateral side of the cartridge body. Whenthe staple cartridge 11000″ is seated in the cartridge jaw, the firstcartridge antenna becomes aligned with the first instrument antenna and,likewise, the second cartridge antenna becomes aligned with the secondinstrument antenna. By placing the first paired antenna system on onelateral side and the second paired antenna system on the oppositelateral side, the possibility of one paired antenna system interferingwith the other is reduced. In various instances, the first pairedantenna system is operated within a first frequency range and the secondpaired antenna system is operated within a second, or different,frequency range that does not overlap with the first frequency rangesuch that the possibility of one paired antenna system interfering withthe other is reduced. To this end, further to the above, the instrumentantennas and/or the cartridge antennas can comprise one or morecapacitors which can filter frequencies outside of the intendedoperating frequency range for each of the paired antenna systems.

In various instances, further to the above, the cartridge data antenna11530″ is mounted to the first lateral side of the cartridge body 11100and the cartridge power antenna 11535″ is mounted to the second lateralside of the cartridge body 11100. More specifically, the coils 11540″and 11545″ of the antennas 11530″ and 11535″, respectively, are mountedon the proximal ends of their respective sides, i.e., they arepositioned much closer to the proximal end 11110 of the staple cartridge11000″ than the distal end 11120. As a result, the cartridge dataantenna 11530″ and the cartridge power antenna 11535″ can be shorterthan if they were positioned at the distal end 11120 of the staplecartridge 11000″ and are, as a result, less susceptible to interference.In various alternative embodiments, the coils 11540″ and 11545″ aremounted at or near the centerline between the proximal end 11110 and thedistal end 11120 of the staple cartridge 11000″. In such an arrangement,the distance between the cartridge data coil 11540″ and the sensorsmounted to the cartridge body 11100 can be shortened as compared to whenthe cartridge data coil 11540″ is mounted to the proximal end 11110 ofthe cartridge body 11100, thereby reducing the possibility of the sensoroutputs being corrupted before the sensor outputs are processed andtransmitted via the cartridge data coil 11540″.

In various embodiments, further to the above, the coils 11540″ and11545″ are mounted to the cartridge body 11100 and/or the pan 11700(FIG. 5A) of the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, thecartridge body 11100 comprises a recessed pocket defined in the lateralside thereof and the coils 11540″ and 11545″ are positioned in therecessed pocket. In at least one such embodiment, a potting material ispoured into the recessed pocket to secure, seal, and/or protect thecoils 11540″ and 11545″ within the pocket. The potting material cancomprise a sealing glue such as TECHNOMELT from Eastern Adhesive SystemsTechnology, Inc., for example, a light-cured acrylic adhesive such asLOCTITE 3321 from Henkel Corporation, for example, wax, and/or paraffin,for example. In various instances, the potting material can comprise anair-cured material.

In various embodiments, the antenna coils 11540″ and 11545″ are enclosedin the cartridge body using one or more manufacturing processes. In atleast one embodiment, the cartridge body 11100 is formed by a two-shotinjection molding process. In at least one such embodiment, a firstplastic component, or core, is molded during a first injection moldingprocess, the coils 11540″ and 11545″ are attached to the core, and thena second injection molding process is used to at least partially cover,enclose, seal, and/or protect the coils 11540″ and 11545″. In at leastone embodiment, the coils 11540″ and 11545″ are positioned in a recessor pocket defined in the cartridge body and a cover is attached to thecartridge body 11100 which at least partially covers, encloses, seals,and/or protects the coils 11540″ and 11545″. In at least one suchembodiment, the cover is snap-fit and/or press-fit to the cartridge body11100. In certain embodiments, an ultrasonic staking process is used toattach the cover to the cartridge body 11000.

The above-described materials and methods for attaching the antennacoils 11540″ and 11545″ to the cartridge body 11100 can also be used toattach RFID tags to the sled 11400 and/or staple drivers 11300. In suchembodiments, the positions and/or motions of the sled 11400 and/orstaple drivers 11300 can be tracked by the control system of the staplecartridge 11000 using the RFID tags attached to and/or embedded withinthe sled 11400 and/or staple drivers 11300.

As discussed above, the surgical instrument 10000 comprises a shaft10200 extending distally from a handle and/or an instrument housingconfigured to be mounted to the arm of a robotic surgical system. Invarious instances, the shaft 10200, the handle 10100, the instrumenthousing, and/or the robotic surgical system can comprise an instrumentprocessor in communication with the staple cartridge through one or moreantenna couples, as discussed above. To facilitate communication betweenthe instrument processor and the cartridge processor, the shaft 10200comprises a wiring harness including the instrument antennas. In atleast one such embodiment, the wiring harness comprises a flex circuit10900 (FIG. 11B) including a flexible substrate and conductive wires, ortraces, extending within the flexible substrate. In various embodiments,the flex circuit 10900 comprises a stack of conductive and insulativelayers, for example. Referring to FIG. 8C, the distal end of a flexcircuit of the surgical instrument 10000″ includes the coils 11540″ and11545″ which comprise embedded wires within the non-conductive substrateof the flex circuit.

Further to the above, the distal end of the flex circuit is mounted tothe sidewall of the first jaw 10410 by one or more adhesives, forexample. In at least one embodiment, ferrite components can be mountedto and/or embedded within the substrate of the flex circuit to controlthe fields emitted by the coils 11540″ and 11545″. In at least oneembodiment, the ferrite components are positioned intermediate the firstjaw 10410 and the coils 11540″ and 11545″. Moreover, electroniccomponents can be mounted to and/or embedded within the substrate of theflex circuit which condition and/or amplify the signals emitted by thecoils 11540″ and 11545″. In at least one such embodiment, one or morecapacitors are embedded in the flex circuit which filter out low and/orhigh frequencies. Moreover, in at least one such embodiment, one or moreamplification circuits are embedded in the flex circuit which can boostand/or control the power of the signals being emitted by the coils11540″ and 11545″. In various embodiments, the first jaw 10410 and/orthe second jaw 10420 are comprised of metal and are configured tominimize the impact of the metal jaws on the fields emitted by the coils11540″ and 11545″. In at least one embodiment, the cross-sections of themetal jaws are designed to create a uniform, or substantially uniform,area that shields, or substantially shields, external signals frominterfering with signals within the end effector 10400.

In embodiments where the coils 11540″ and 11545″ are mounted to thecartridge body 11000 and the coils 10540″ and 10545″ are mounted to thefirst jaw 10410, the pan 11700 can comprise one or more windows definedtherein such that the coils 10540″ and 11540″ of the data coil set havea direct line-of-sight with one another and the coils 10545″ and 11545″of the power coil set have a direct line-of-sight with one another. Inembodiments where the coils 11540″ and 11545″ are mounted to the pan11700, the coils 10540″ and 11540″ of the data coil set have a directline-of-sight with one another and the coils 10545″ and 11545″ of thepower coil set have a direct line-of-sight with one another.

In various embodiments, the antennas of the surgical instrument 10000″and/or the antennas of the staple cartridge 11000″ comprise coilantennas. That said, a surgical instrument and/or staple cartridge cancomprise any suitable type of antennas. In at least one instance, thesurgical instrument and/or the staple cartridge can comprise a slotantenna. In at least one such embodiment, a slot antenna comprises aflat plate with one or more holes or slots cut out. One or more slotantennas can be mounted to the sidewalls and/or bottom wall of the firstjaw 10410 while one or more slot antennas can be mounted to the pan11700. In various embodiments, a slot antenna can be integrally-formedwith the first jaw 10410 and/or the pan 11700, for example.

In various embodiments, a surgical instrument and/or staple cartridgecan comprise an active cancellation system including a control systemwhich monitors for environmental magnetic and/or electrical fields andtheir frequencies and emits signals through one or more antennas tocancel, or at least partially cancel, the environmental fields.

In various embodiments, the cartridge body of a staple cartridgecomprises conductive traces plated on a plastic substrate, which can bemade of a liquid crystal polymer such as VECTRA from Ticona, forexample. In at least one embodiment, the conductive traces areelectroplated on the plastic substrate and/or plated onto the plasticsubstrate using a vapor deposition process, for example. In at least oneembodiment, the electrical traces are comprised of a conductive ink thatis printed onto the plastic substrate, for example. In variousinstances, the traces are comprised of silver and/or copper, forexample. In various embodiments, the cartridge body comprises recessesdefined in the plastic substrate where conductive traces are plated ontothe plastic substrate in the recesses. In at least one embodiment, therecesses are laser-etched into the plastic substrate. In variousembodiments, a non-conductive material is printed onto the conductivetraces to cover the conducive traces where it is not desired for thetissue, for example, to touch the conductive traces. Such anon-conductive material can also control the fields produced by theconductive traces. In various embodiments, the plastic substrate isformed by a three-dimensional printing process using a non-conductivematerial and a conductive material, such as graphene-imbedded polylacticacid (PLA). In at least one such embodiment, conductive material isprinted into conductive traces that are at least partially embedded inthe non-conductive material.

In various embodiments, further to the above, the staple cavities 11140are arranged in three longitudinal rows on a first side of the cartridgedeck 11130 and three longitudinal rows on a second, or opposite side, ofthe cartridge deck 11130. After the staple firing stroke has beenperformed, the patient tissue has been incised with three rows ofstaples on both sides of the incision to seal, or at least substantiallyseal, the tissue. That said, implanting two rows of staples on bothsides of the incision, instead of three, has been shown to be clinicallyacceptable. As such, the third row of staples does not need to comprisea continuous row of staples. Instead, in at least one embodiment, atleast some of the staple cavities 11140 in the outermost rows house asensor therein instead of staple and a staple driver. In at least onesuch embodiment, a force-sensitive sensor is positioned in a staplecavity 11140. The force-sensitive sensor comprises a tissue contactelement slideable within the staple cavity 11140 that is sized andconfigured to match, or at least substantially match, the perimeter ofthe staple cavity 11140 such that the motion of the tissue contactelement is limited, or at least substantially limited, to the ejectionaxis of the staple cavity 11140. The force-sensitive sensor furthercomprises a base mounted to the cartridge deck 11130 and a spring, suchas a linear coil spring, for example, positioned intermediate the baseand the tissue contact element. When the end effector 10400 is clampedonto the patient tissue, the tissue contacts the tissue contact elementand compresses the spring. The force-sensitive sensor further comprisesa magnetic element mounted to the tissue contact element, the motion ofwhich is detectable and measurable by a Hall Effect circuit in thecartridge deck 11130, for example. The Hall Effect circuit is incommunication with the cartridge processor which is configured toanalyze the voltage output to assess whether there is tissue positionedover the force-sensitive sensor and the force being applied to thetissue at the force-sensitive sensor. The staple cartridge 11000 cancomprise any suitable number of force-sensitive sensors. For instance,in at least one embodiment, both of the outermost rows of staplecavities 11140 comprises a sensor at the distal end of the staplecartridge 11000, a sensor at the proximal end of the staple cartridge11000, and at least one sensor positioned intermediate the distal sensorand the proximal sensor. The above being said, the staple cartridge cancomprise any suitable type of sensor and/or number of sensors in thestaple cavities.

In at least one embodiment, further to the above, some of the staplecavities 11300 can include a typical staple driver positioned therein,but not a staple, and at least a portion of a sensor extending over thestaple cavity. In at least one such embodiment, the portion of thesensor extending over the staple cavity is frangible and is configuredto break, or snap, when the staple driver is driven upwardly toward theanvil during the staple firing stroke. Such an arrangement can be usedto progressively cut off sensors from the cartridge processor as thestaple firing stroke progresses. Such an arrangement can be used toconserve processing power and/or track the progress of the staple firingstroke, among other things.

The entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,274, entitled MOTORIZEDCUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZINGBATTERY USAGE, U.S. Pat. No. 10,135,242, entitled SMART CARTRIDGE WAKEUP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION, U.S. Pat. No. 10,548,504, entitledOVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURETISSUE COMPRESSION, U.S. Pat. No. 9,993,248, entitled SMART SENSORS WITHLOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2016/0256071, entitled OVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF)ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Pat. No.10,548,504, U.S. Patent Application No. 2018/0168625, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES, U.S. PatentApplication No. 2018/0250002, entitled POWERED SURGICAL DEVICES HAVINGTISSUE SENSING FUNCTION, and International Patent Publication No. WO2018/049206, entitled STAPLER RELOAD DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION, areincorporated by reference herein.

In various instances, referring to FIG. 9 , a staple cartridge 12000comprises an identification circuit 12100 and a power supply circuit12200 which are independent from one other. The identification circuit12100 comprises a passive RFID system 12110, for example, which isenergized when an interrogation signal is transmitted to the cartridgedata antenna 11530″ from the instrument data antenna 10530″. Theidentification circuit 12100 is self-contained and does not receivepower from the power supply circuit. The passive RFID system 12110 doesnot comprise a power source and is powered by the interrogation signal.Once the passive RFID system 12110 has received the interrogationsignal, the passive RFID system 12110 transmits a response signal backto the surgical instrument via the cartridge data antenna 11530″ thatincludes data regarding the identification of the staple cartridge12000. The surgical instrument comprises an RFID reader chip 12610 whichis configured to receive and process the response signal from thepassive RFID system 12110. In at least one alternative embodiment, theindependent identification circuit comprises an active RFID system thatincludes its own power source. In such an embodiment, the active RFIDsystem can comprise a beacon that periodically emits an identificationsignal that has enough power to be received by the instrument dataantenna 10530″.

In various embodiments, further to the above, the independent powersupply circuit 12200 of the staple cartridge 12000 comprises a cartridgepower antenna 11535″ configured to receive power from the powertransmission antenna 10535″ of the surgical instrument. In variousinstances, similar to the above, the staple cartridge 12000 isconfigured to transmit a data signal back to the surgical instrumentacross the power antenna couple including the antennas 10535″ and 11535″that includes data from the sensor array 11600 of the staple cartridge12000. In certain instances, the staple cartridge 12000 comprises athird antenna configured to transmit sensor data back to the surgicalinstrument across a low-power antenna couple which is separate andindependent from the power antenna couple of the power circuit 12200 andthe cartridge identification circuit 12100. In such instances, power istransmitted from the surgical instrument to the staple cartridge acrossa power antenna couple, identification signals are transmitted betweenthe surgical instrument and the staple cartridge across anidentification signal antenna couple, and sensor data is transmittedfrom the staple cartridge to the surgical instrument across a sensordata signal antenna couple.

In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 10 , a staple cartridge 13000comprises a cartridge power antenna 11535″ and a cartridge data antenna11530″ which are both coupled to a single instrument antenna 13530. Inat least one such embodiment, the single instrument antenna 13530comprises a coil 13540 which is defined in an instrument coil plane, thecartridge data antenna 11530″ comprises a coil 11540″ defined in a datacoil plane, and the cartridge power antenna 11535″ comprises a coil11545″ defined in a power coil plane. The coils 13540, 11540″, and11545″ are stacked such that signals transmitted by the singleinstrument antenna 13530 are received by the cartridge data antenna11530″ and the cartridge power antenna 11535″. In at least one instance,the coils 13540, 11540″, and 11545″ may be positioned on one lateralside of the staple cartridge 13000. In various instances, the coils13540, 11540″, and 11545″ may be positioned on the bottom of the staplecartridge 13000. In various instances, it may be desirable for thecartridge data antenna 11530″ to receive signals at a lower power thanthe cartridge power antenna 11535″. In at least one such instance, thecoils 13540, 11540″, and 11545″ are stacked such that the cartridgepower coil 11545″ is positioned intermediate the instrument antenna coil13540 and the cartridge data coil 11540″. In such instances, as aresult, the intensity of the signals emitted by the instrument antennacoil 13540 is greater at the cartridge power coil 11545″ than at thecartridge data coil 11540″. In various instances, the coils 13540,11540″, and 11545″ are spaced equally, or equidistant, from one another.In other instances, the gap between the cartridge data coil 11540″ andthe cartridge power coil 11545″ is larger than the gap between thecartridge power coil 11545″ and the instrument antenna coil 13540. Insuch instances, the power transmitted to the cartridge data coil 11540″may be substantially lower than the power transmitted to the cartridgepower coil 11545″. In various alternative embodiments, the instrumentantenna coil 13540 is positioned intermediate the cartridge data coil11540″ and the cartridge power coil 11545″ and the coils 11540″ and11545″ can be positioned at any suitable distance from the instrumentantenna coil 13540.

Referring to FIG. 10 once again, the instrument antennas 10530″ and10535″ are used to emit fields that interact with the cartridge antennas11530″ and 11535″. In various instances, the fields emitted by theinstrument antennas 10530″ and 10535″ are emitted omni-directionally. Asa result, a significant amount of power may be emitted by the instrumentantennas 10530″ and 10535″ which is not received by the cartridgeantennas 11530″ and 11535″. In various instances, the surgicalinstrument is configured to shape the fields emitted by the instrumentantennas 10530″ and 10535″. In at least one instance, the surgicalinstrument comprises one or more metal walls which surround theinstrument data antenna 10530″ and/or the power transmission antenna10535″, for example. Such metal walls can limit the intensity of theemitted fields in directions which are not toward the cartridge antennas11530″ and 11535″. In at least one instance, the metal walls form a hornwhich directs the emitted fields from the coil of an instrument antennatoward the coil of the corresponding cartridge antenna. In at least onesuch instance, the metal walls extend from a metal sidewall and/or metalbottom wall of the cartridge jaw, for example. In various instances, aferrite ring, for example, can be positioned around the coil of aninstrument antenna to tunnel the emitted field toward the coil of thecorresponding cartridge antenna. In at least one such instance, theferrite ring is mounted to the sidewall and/or bottom wall of thecartridge jaw, for example. In various instances, the staple cartridge11000″ comprises metal walls which direct the fields emitted from aninstrument antenna toward the coil of the corresponding cartridgeantenna. In at least one such instance, the metal walls form a hornmounted to the cartridge body of the staple cartridge which is comprisedof plastic, for example. Also, in various instances, the staplecartridge comprises ferrite material which is configured to directand/or amplify the fields emitted by the coils of the instrumentantennas to the corresponding cartridge antennas. The entire disclosuresof U.S. Pat. No. 10,135,242, entitled SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATIONAND DATA RETENTION, which issued on Nov. 20, 2018, U.S. Pat. No.9,345,481, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM,which issued on May 24, 2016, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,872,722, entitledWAKE-UP SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, which issuedon Jan. 23, 2018, are incorporated by reference herein.

As discussed above, referring again to FIG. 5A, the staple cartridge11000 comprises a metal pan 11700 attached to the cartridge body 11100.The metal pan 11700 comprises a floor 11710 that extends around thebottom of the cartridge body 11100 and is configured to prevent thestaple drivers 11300 and/or the staples from falling out of the bottomof the staple cartridge 11000. The metal pan 11700 comprises a firstsidewall 11720 that extends alongside the first lateral side of thecartridge body 11100 and a second sidewall 11720 that extends alongsidethe second lateral side of the cartridge body 11100. The first sidewall11720 is attached to the cartridge body 11100 via one or more attachmentfeatures 11730 such as a hook and/or shoulder retainer, for example.Similar to the first sidewall 11720, the second sidewall 11720 isattached to the cartridge body 11100 via one or more attachment features11730 such as a hook and/or shoulder retainer, for example. The metalpan 11700 is comprised of any suitable metal, such as stainless steel,for example. In various embodiments, the metal pan 11700 can alsoinclude portions comprised of plastic and/or any other suitablematerial. In various instances, the cartridge antennas are mounted tothe metal pan 11700. In at least one such instance, the cartridge datacoil 11540″ and/or the cartridge power coil 11545″ is mounted to themetal pan 11700 which can position the coils closer to their respectiveinstrument antennas and improve the transmission efficiency of theantennas.

In various embodiments, a surgical instrument and/or staple cartridgecan comprise a mask or shield configured to control, block, and/ordirect signals emitted by the surgical instrument and/or the staplecartridge. In at least one embodiment, a mask is comprised of ferrite,for example. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge jaw comprisesmetal wall shields extending from the sidewalls and/or bottom walls. Inat least one embodiment, the pan and/or cartridge body of a staplecartridge comprises metal wall shields contained therein and/orextending therefrom. In at least one embodiment, the mask is configuredto limit the direction in which the signal is emitted and/or received.In various embodiments, a surgical instrument and/or staple cartridgecomprises a horn antenna configured to direct a signal emittedtherefrom. In at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument and/orstaple cartridge can comprise an antenna comprised of a metal wall. Inat least one such embodiment, the cartridge jaw of the surgicalinstrument is comprised of metal walls, at least one of which is used asan antenna. Moreover, in at least one such embodiment, the pan of thestaple cartridge is comprised of metal walls, at least one of which isused as an antenna. In various embodiments, one or more capacitors orcapacitive elements are soldered to the pan of the staple cartridgewhich can filter out unwanted frequencies being conducted within and/ortransmitted through the pan.

Referring to FIG. 11 , a staple cartridge, such as staple cartridge14000, for example, comprises a cartridge body 11100 and an electroniccircuit 11500 including sensors 11600. The staple cartridge 14000 issimilar to the other staple cartridges disclosed herein in many respectsand such respects are not discussed herein for the sake of brevity. Asdiscussed above, the cartridge body 11100 comprises a deck 11130 andlongitudinal rows of staple cavities 11140 defined in the deck 11130.Each staple cavity 11140 comprises a staple stored therein that isdriven upwardly out of the staple cavity 11140 by a staple driver duringa staple firing stroke. Each staple comprises a base and two legsextending from the base such that the legs extend generally upwardly andoutwardly to form a V-shape configuration. In various instances, thelegs of the staple are resiliently deflected inwardly by the proximaland distal end walls of the staple cavity 11140 when the staple isstored in the staple cavity 11140. When the staple is driven upwardlyout of the staple cavity 11140, the legs of the staple emerge from thestaple cavity 11140 and extend above the deck 11130 while the rest ofthe staple is pushed upwardly out of the staple cavity 11140. Thecartridge body 11100 comprises projections 11132 (FIG. 5B) extendingfrom the deck 11130 which are configured to guide and/or control thelegs of the staples as the staples are being ejected from the staplecavities 11140. A projection 11132 is positioned at the distal end ofeach staple cavity 11140 and at the proximal end of each staple cavity11140. However, alternative embodiments are envisioned in which aprojection 11132 is positioned at only one end of each staple cavity11140. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned in which some of thestaple cavities 11140 do not comprise projections 11132 at the endsthereof. The projections 11132 are further configured to engage thepatient tissue positioned against the deck 11130 and limit the flow ormovement of the patient tissue relative to the deck 11130.

In various embodiments, the electronic circuit 11500 comprises asubstrate including features engaged with the projections 11132. In atleast one embodiment, the substrate comprises apertures defined therein,the sidewalls of which are engaged with the projections 11132. Theapertures are in a snap-fit and/or press-fit arrangement with theprojections 11132 such that the electronic circuit 11500 is held inposition relative to the cartridge body 11100. In at least oneembodiment, the projections 11132 comprise at least partially annular orcircumferential shoulders which hold the sensor circuit 11500 againstthe cartridge body 11100.

In various embodiments, a sensor circuit of a staple cartridge iscomprised of a conductive material printed on the deck of the cartridgebody. In at least one embodiment, the conductive material is comprisedof metal particles bonded to the deck which form an electrical circuitconnecting the sensors. In at least one such embodiment, the printedelectrical circuit is printed onto the cartridge body with athree-dimensional printer. In various embodiments, the sensor circuitcomprises electrodes, or contacts, that are printed onto the cartridgebody. In at least one embodiment, the sensor circuit compriseselectrodes which comprise a polygonal surface configured to contact thetissue. In at least one alternative embodiment, the electrodes comprisea curved and/or tortuous path on the deck surface which, in variousinstances, can increase the contact area between the electrodes and thetissue. In at least one embodiment, the electrodes comprise needlesextending therefrom which are configured to penetrate the tissue. In atleast one embodiment, the needles comprise a diameter of about 1 μm, forexample. In various instances, the needles provide parallel signal pathsbetween the tissue and the sensor circuit within one electrode toimprove the sensitivity of the sensor circuit. In at least oneembodiment, a conductive grease or conductive viscous agent covers thetissue contact points of the sensor circuit which improves the contactbetween the electrodes and the tissue. In various embodiments, portionsof the sensor circuit are embedded in the cartridge body. In at leastone such embodiment, the sensor circuit comprises flat, thin conductorsthat are embedded into the cartridge body when a plastic material, forexample, is overmolded onto portions of the conductors. Portions of theconductors, however, remain exposed to provide tissue engaging padsand/or electrically-conductive attachment points for soldering sensorsthereto. In at least one embodiment, part of the cartridge sensorcircuit can be defined on the lateral sidewalls of the cartridge jaw. Inat least one such embodiment, a proximal portion and a distal portion ofthe sensor circuit are defined on the cartridge body and an intermediateportion of the sensor circuit is defined on the cartridge jaw thatelectrically connects the proximal portion and the distal portion of thesensor circuit. In at least one embodiment, the portions of the sensorcircuit mounted to the cartridge jaw comprise conductive strips mountedto the sidewalls. When the staple cartridge is seated in the cartridgejaw, the cartridge sensor circuit engages the conductive strips tocomplete the circuit.

As discussed above, a sensor circuit can include conductivetissue-contacting surfaces. In various embodiments, a sensor circuit caninclude non-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces. In at least oneembodiment, a sensor circuit comprises one or more capacitiveelectrodes. In various instances, projected capacitance measurementtechniques are used to measure the presence of the tissue over thecapacitive electrodes and/or a property of the tissue over thecapacitive electrodes. In at least one embodiment, each capacitiveelectrode comprises an insulative covering which covers capacitive padscontained therein. In various instances, further to the above, surfacecapacitance measurement techniques can be used. In various embodiments,a sensor circuit comprises one or more inductive sensors. In at leastone embodiment, an eddy current is induced in each of the inductivesensors which changes when the tissue contacts the sensors. In suchembodiments, the changes to the sensor eddy currents are detected by thecontrol system of the staple cartridge. In various embodiments, thesensor circuit can comprise temperature sensors which are used to detectthe presence of tissue over the temperature sensors. In at least oneembodiment, the sensor circuit comprises electrodes comprised of a dopedpolycrystalline ceramic comprising barium titanate (BaTiO3), forexample. The resistance of these ceramic materials changes in responseto temperature changes, such as when patient tissue is positionedagainst the electrodes. The cartridge processor is configured to employan algorithm to monitor the resistance fluctuations in the ceramicmaterials to assess whether or not tissue was positioned against theelectrodes. In various instances, the electrodes of the sensor circuitare in a parallel arrangement such that a detected resistance,capacitance, voltage, and/or current change can be directly related tothe position of a sensor. With this information, the processor canassess whether and where tissue is positioned over the staple cartridge.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11D, the staple cartridge 14000 furthercomprises a laminate material 14900 mounted to one or more components ofthe staple cartridge 14000 to control the electrical effects createdwithin the cartridge components by the fields emitted from and/orsurrounding the staple cartridge 14000. In at least one instance, thelaminate material 14900 comprises a flux field directional materialincluding at least two layers—a first layer 14910, or cover, and asecond layer 14920 of magnetic material attached to the first layer14910. The first layer 14910 is comprised of polyethylene terephthalate,for example, which protects the second layer 14920, but can be comprisedof any suitable material. The second layer 14920 is comprised of asintered ferrite sheet, for example, but can be comprised of anysuitable material. In at least one instance, an adhesive layer 14930comprised of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, for example, is bonded tothe second layer 14920 and is used to attach the laminate material 14900to one or more components of the staple cartridge 14000, as discussedfurther below. In at least one instance, the laminate material 14900 isa Flux Field Directional Material EM15TF manufactured by 3M, forexample.

In various embodiments, further to the above, laminate material 14900 isbonded to the cartridge body 11100 and is arranged to change and/orcontrol the shape of the fields extending from the cartridge antennas.In at least one embodiment, the laminate material 14900 focuses thefields away from the metal cartridge jaw of the surgical instrument10000 in which the staple cartridge 14000 is seated. In at least oneinstance, the cartridge body 11100 is comprised of plastic and thelaminate material 14900 is mounted to the cartridge body 11100 such thatthe laminate material 14900 surrounds, or at least substantiallysurrounds, the cartridge antennas. In at least one instance, laminatematerial 14900 is mounted to the cartridge body 11100 at a locationwhich is intermediate the cartridge data coil 11540″ and the cartridgepower coil 11545″ such that the cartridge coils 11540″ and 11545″ areseparated by the laminate material 14900. In various embodiments,laminate material 14900 is bonded to the metal walls of the cartridgejaw 10410. In at least one instance, laminate material 14900 is mountedto the metal walls of the cartridge jaw 10410 at a location which isintermediate the instrument data coil 10540″ and the power transmissioncoil 10545″. In various embodiments, the laminate material 14900 bondsthe cartridge data antenna 11530″ and/or the cartridge power antenna11535″ to the cartridge body 11100. In at least one embodiment, thelaminate material 14900 bonds the instrument data antenna 10530″ and/orthe instrument power antenna 10535″ to the metal cartridge jaw 10410.

In various embodiments, further to the above, laminate material 14900 ismounted to the metal pan 11700. In at least one such instance, laminatematerial 14900 is positioned intermediate the metal pan 11700 and thecartridge data antenna 11530″ and, also, intermediate the metal pan11700 and the cartridge power antenna 11535″. Such an arrangement canfocus the fields created by the antennas 11530″ and 11535″ away from themetal pan 11700 to minimize the electrical effects that the fields haveon the metal pan 11700. In various embodiments, laminate material 14900is mounted to the movable components of the staple cartridge 14000. Inat least one instance, referring to FIG. 11D, laminate material 14900 ismounted to the sled 11400. In at least one such instance, laminatematerial 14900 is mounted to the lateral sides 11410 of the sled 11400,for example. In at least one instance, referring to FIG. 11A, laminatematerial 14900 is mounted to one or more of the staple drivers 11300,for example. In at least one such instance, laminate material 14900 ismounted to the lateral sides 11310 of the staple drivers 11300. Laminatematerial 14900 can be mounted to all of the staple drivers 11300, orjust the staple drivers 11300 adjacent the cartridge antennas 11530″ and11535″, for example.

Further to the above, the fields generated by the cartridge antennasand/or instrument antennas can affect the output of the sensors 11600.Such an effect can be reduced or mitigated by the laminate material14900, for example. In various instances, the processor of the staplecartridge 14000 is configured to electronically account for the effectthat the antenna fields will have on the sensors 11600. In at least onesuch instance, the cartridge processor can monitor when signals arebeing transmitted between the antenna couples and, in such instances,modify the sensor outputs being received from the sensors 11600 beforetransmitting the sensor outputs to the surgical instrument processorand/or recording the sensor outputs in a memory device in the staplecartridge 14000. When signals are not being transmitted between theantenna couples, the sensor outputs may not need to be modified by theprocessor before being transmitted to the surgical instrument processorand/or recorded in a memory device in the staple cartridge 14000. Invarious instances, the processor can apply a first compensation factorto the sensor outputs when the power antenna couple is transmittingsignals, a second compensation factor to the sensor outputs when thesignal antenna couple is transmitting signals, and a third compensationfactor to the sensor outputs when both antennas are transmittingsignals. In at least one such instance, the third compensation factor islarger than the first compensation factor and the first compensationfactor is larger than the second compensation factor, for example.

Further to the above, the circuit 11500 is flush with the top surface ofthe deck 11130 and/or recessed with respect to the top surface of thedeck 11130. In various instances, the staple cartridge 11000 furthercomprises latches rotatably mounted thereto which are rotatable from anunlatched position to a latched position to hold the circuit 11500 inthe circuit slot 11160. The latches engage the cartridge body 11100 in apress-fit and/or snap-fit manner when the latches are in their latchedposition. When the latches are in their latched position, the latchesare flush with and/or recessed below the top surface of the deck 11130.In at least one embodiment, the projections 11132 are mounted to and/orintegrally-formed with the latches and/or any other suitable restrainingfeatures. In any event, the circuit 11500 comprises one or more sensorswhich are held in place relative to the cartridge body 11100 as a resultof the above.

As discussed above, the sensors 11600 may be effected by theirsurrounding environment. In various instances, the sensors 11600 may beeffected by temperature changes when the end effector 10400 of thesurgical instrument is inserted into a patient. Referring to FIG. 12 , astaple cartridge, such as staple cartridge 15000, for example, cancomprise a thermal management system. The staple cartridge 15000 issimilar to the other staple cartridges disclosed herein in manyrespects, and such respects are not repeated for the sake of brevity.The staple cartridge 15000 comprises a cartridge body 15100 and sensors11600 mounted to the cartridge body 15100. The staple cartridge 15000further comprises a heat sink system 15800 that moves and/or equalizesthermal energy with the cartridge body 15100. The cartridge body 15100comprises a first lateral side 15170 and a second lateral side 15180 andthe heat sink system 15800 comprises a first heat sink 15870 embedded inthe first lateral side 15170 and a second heat sink 15880 embedded inthe second lateral side 15180. The first heat sink 15870 comprises afirst longitudinal rail 15872 extending along the first lateral side15170 of the cartridge body 15100 and lateral rails 15874 extendinglaterally from the first longitudinal rail 15872. The lateral rails15874 extend between and around the staple cavities 11140 and conductheat outwardly away from the sensors 11600 which are positioned adjacentthe first longitudinal rail 15872. That said, other embodiments areenvisioned in which the rails 15872 and 15874 are arranged to conductheat inwardly away from sensors 11600 positioned along the outerperimeter of the cartridge body 15100. The second heat sink 15880comprises a second longitudinal rail 15882 extending along the secondlateral side 15180 and lateral rails 15884 extending from the secondlongitudinal rail 15882. The lateral rails 15884 extend between andaround the staple cavities 11400 and conduct heat outwardly away fromthe sensors 11600 which are positioned adjacent the second longitudinalrail 15882. That said, other embodiments are envisioned in which therails 15882 and 15884 are arranged to conduct heat inwardly away fromsensors 11600 positioned along the outer perimeter of the cartridge body15100.

Further to the above, the first heat sink 15870 and the second heat sink15880 are configured to conduct heat from one region of the staplecartridge 15000 to another. In various instances, the first heat sink15870 includes a first region comprised of a first material having afirst thermal conductivity and a second region having a second thermalconductivity which is higher than the first thermal conductivity. In atleast one instance, the first region is positioned adjacent the sensors11600 such that the second region quickly draws heat out of the firstregion. In this way, the first heat sink 15870 comprises a heat pump.The second heat sink 15880 can comprise a similar arrangement. Invarious instances, the first heat sink 15870 includes a first regioncomprised of a first material having a first thermal capacitance and asecond region comprised of a second material having a second thermalcapacitance which is higher than the first thermal capacitance. In suchembodiments, the second region can store heat away from the sensors11600. The second heat sink 15880 can comprise a similar arrangement.

Further to the above, in various instances, the first longitudinal rail15872 comprises a constant cross-section along the length thereof. Inuse, thermal energy will flow along the first longitudinal rail 15872from a location with a higher temperature along the first longitudinalrail 15872 to a location with a lower temperature. In at least onealternative embodiment, the cross-section of the first longitudinal rail15872 changes along the length thereof. In use, thermal energy can flowalong the first longitudinal rail 15872 from a location having a smallcross-section to a location having a larger cross-section. In at leastone instance, the first longitudinal rail 15872 is tapered linearly fromone end to the other. In at least one such instance, the larger end ofthe first longitudinal rail 15872 is at the distal end of the staplecartridge 15000. In such instances, heat may flow toward the distal endof the staple cartridge 15000 instead of toward the processor and/orother electronics in the proximal end of the staple cartridge 15000, forexample. The second heat sink 15880 can comprise a similar arrangement.

Further to the above, in various instances, the lateral rails 15874comprise a constant cross-section along the length thereof. In use,thermal energy will flow along the lateral rails 15874 from a locationwith a higher temperature to a location with a lower temperature. In atleast one alternative embodiment, the cross-section of the lateral rails15874 change along the length thereof. In use, thermal energy can flowalong the lateral rails 15874 from a location having a smallcross-section to a location having a larger cross-section. In at leastone instance, each lateral rail 15874 is tapered linearly from one endto the other. In at least one such instance, the larger end of thelateral rail 15874 is at the lateral side of the staple cartridge 15000.In such instances, heat may flow from the first longitudinal rail 15872toward the lateral side of the staple cartridge 15000 where the heat canbe easily dissipated from the staple cartridge 15000. The second heatsink 15880 can comprise a similar arrangement. That said, any suitableconfiguration of heat sink can be used.

In various instances, further to the above, a portion of a heat sink isin direct contact with at least one electronic component of the staplecartridge 15000. In at least one instance, the staple cartridge 15000comprises a microprocessor mounted to the cartridge body 15100 and theheat sink is in direct abutting contact with the microprocessor, forexample. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 15100 directlycontacts at least one electronic component of the staple cartridge15000. In at least one instance, the cartridge body 15100 comprises finsextending therefrom which increase the convection surface area and therate in which the electronic components can be cooled. In at least onesuch instance, referring to FIG. 11A, the cartridge body 15100 compriseslongitudinal rails 11105 which define longitudinal slots 11115configured to receive staple driving rails 11415 of the sled 11400 wherethe longitudinal rails 11015 are part of a thermal path for cooling theelectronic components of the staple cartridge 15000. In at least oneembodiment, the longitudinal rails 11105 of the cartridge body 15100 areat least partially coated in a material which improves the thermalconductivity, convection, and/or radiation of heat between theelectronic components and the longitudinal rails 11105 and between thelongitudinal rails 11105 and the ambient environment. In variousembodiments, the metal pan 11700 of the staple cartridge 15000 is inabutting contact with one or more electronic components of the staplecartridge and is configured to conduct heat away from the electroniccomponents. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge body 15100 and/orthe metal pan 11700 comprises windows or throughholes therein which areconfigured to permit body fluids to enter into the staple cartridge15000 when the end effector 10400 is in the patient. In suchembodiments, the electronic components of the staple cartridge 15000 arecoated in a sealant, such as an epoxy, for example, which protects theelectronic components when the body fluids enter into the staplecartridge 15000. Such openings could also be positioned and arranged tofacilitate the contact of body fluids with the heat sinks of the staplecartridge 15000.

In various embodiments, the staple cartridge 15000 further comprises atemperature sensor circuit including at least one temperature sensor15900 in communication with the processor of the staple cartridge 15000.In at least one embodiment, the temperature sensor 15900 comprises athermistor, thermocouple, and/or resistance temperature detector, forexample. In various instances, the staple processor, electronichardware, tissue sensors, and/or antennas of the staple cartridge 15000generate heat which, in some circumstances, can negatively impact thefunction of these devices. With the data provided to the staplecartridge processor from the temperature sensor 15900, the staplecartridge processor can adjust its sampling or processing rate of thetissue sensors, for example, to reduce the heat generated by the staplecartridge processor. In at least one instance, the staple cartridgeprocessor is configured to reduce the data sampling or processing rateof the tissue sensors when the temperature sensed by the temperaturesensor 15900 exceeds a threshold. In at least one embodiment, the staplecartridge processor can maintain the lower sampling rate of the tissuesensors regardless of whether the temperature stays above or falls backbelow the temperature threshold. In other embodiments, the staplecartridge processor can increase, or restore, the sampling rate of thetissue sensors after the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor15900 falls back below the temperature threshold. Similarly, the staplecartridge processor can be configured to reduce the data transfer ratebetween the staple cartridge 15000 and the surgical instrument acrossthe data antenna couple when the temperature sensed by the temperaturesensor 15900 exceeds a threshold. In at least one embodiment, the staplecartridge processor can maintain the lower transfer rate regardless ofwhether the temperature stays above or falls back below the temperaturethreshold. In other embodiments, the staple cartridge processor canincrease, or restore, the data transfer rate across the data antennacouple after the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 15900falls back below the temperature threshold.

In at least one embodiment, further to the above, the processor of thestaple cartridge 15000 and/or the processor of the surgical instrument10000 is configured to reduce the power being transferred across thepower antenna couple between the staple cartridge 15000 and the surgicalinstrument 10000 when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor15900 exceeds a threshold. In at least one embodiment, the processor, orprocessors, can maintain the lower power transfer rate regardless ofwhether the temperature stays above or falls back below the temperaturethreshold. In other embodiments, the processor, or processors, canincrease, or restore, the power transfer rate after the temperaturesensed by the temperature sensor 15900 falls back below the temperaturethreshold.

In various embodiments, the staple cartridge processor is configured toassess the operational state of the staple cartridge 15000 when thetemperature sensed by the temperature sensor 15900 exceeds thetemperature threshold before modifying the operation of the staplecartridge 15000. For instance, if the staple cartridge processor sensesthat the staple firing stroke has not yet been initiated by the surgicalinstrument 10000 when the sensed temperature exceeds the temperaturethreshold, the staple cartridge processor is configured to modify, orlower, the sensor sampling rate, the data transfer rate, and/or thepower transfer rate, for example, and/or otherwise reduce the heatgenerated by the staple cartridge processor by altering or stopping afunction of the staple cartridge processor. Such an arrangement canreduce the heat generated by the staple cartridge 15000 during use. Ifthe staple cartridge processor senses that the staple firing stroke hasalready been initiated by the surgical instrument 10000 when the sensedtemperature exceeds the temperature threshold, in at least one suchembodiment, the staple cartridge processor does not modify the sensorsampling rate, the data transfer rate, and/or the power transfer rate,for example, during the staple firing stroke. After the staple firingstroke, in such instances, the staple cartridge processor can modify theoperation of the staple cartridge 15000 in some way to reduce the heatgenerated by the staple cartridge 15000. In various instances, thestaple cartridge 15000 comprises a sensor configured to detect theposition of the sled, or at least whether the sled is in its proximalunfired position, to determine whether or not the staple firing strokehas been initiated. In various embodiments, the control system of thesurgical instrument 10000 is configured to communicate to the staplecartridge processor that the staple firing stroke is being initiated.The staple cartridge 15000 can also comprise a sensor to determine whenthe sled has reached its fully-fired position and/or the control systemof the surgical instrument 10000 is configured to communicate to thestaple cartridge processor that the retraction stroke of the staplefiring system is being initiated.

In various embodiments, further to the above, the staple cartridgeprocessor is configured to modify the operation of a first system whenthe sensed temperature exceeds a first temperature threshold and modifythe operation of a second system when the sensed temperature exceeds asecond, or higher, temperature threshold. For instance, the staplecartridge processor can reduce the sensor sampling rate when the firsttemperature threshold has been exceeded and then also reduce the datatransfer rate to the surgical instrument when the second temperaturethreshold has been exceeded.

In various embodiments, further to the above, the processor of thestaple cartridge 15000 comprises an internal temperature sensor that isused in co-operation with or in lieu of the temperature sensor 15900. Invarious embodiments, the cartridge body 15100 is comprised of a positivetemperature coefficient (PTC) material that is used as a temperaturesensor. In such embodiments, the cartridge body 15100 is part of atemperature sensor circuit in communication with the processor of thestaple cartridge 15000. In various instances, the cartridge body 15100comprises a temperature sensor in addition to or in lieu of the othertemperature sensors disclosed herein. In at least one instance, the PTCmaterial is comprised of a doped polycrystalline ceramic includingbarium titanate BaTiO3, for example. In at least one embodiment, theprocessor of the staple cartridge 15000 is in communication with thetemperature sensor 15900 and at least one temperature sensor in thesurgical instrument 10000. In such embodiments, the staple cartridgeprocessor can evaluate the temperature at multiple locations and employan algorithm which considers the temperature readings of bothtemperature sensors before modifying the operation of the staplecartridge 15000. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge 15000 cancomprise two or more temperature sensors and the staple cartridgeprocessor can employ an algorithm which considers the temperaturereadings of all of the temperature sensors before modifying theoperation of the staple cartridge 15000.

In various embodiments, the heat generated by the cartridge processor,for example, can affect the components of the sensor circuit and/or thevoltage potential produced by the sensors of the sensor circuit. Invarious instances, an increase in the sensed temperature may be theresult of an increased magnetic or electrical, field produced by theprocessor, for example. In at least one embodiment, the processoremploys an algorithm configured to utilize a correction factor tocompensate for the effect that a temperature increase has on the sensoroutputs. In at least one such embodiment, the compensation factor isapplied when the sensed temperature exceeds a threshold. In variousembodiments, the voltage outputs are modified according to amodification function, such as a linear and/or non-linear function, forexample. In various embodiments, the cartridge control system comprisesa sensor configured to directly detect fields generated by the processorand employ an algorithm to compensate for the effect that the fieldshave on the sensor outputs.

In various embodiments, the staple cartridges disclosed herein areconfigured to be operated in a low-power mode and a high-power mode. Theprocessor of the staple cartridge is configured to switch from thelower-power mode to the high-power mode when the staple cartridgeprocessor has received one or more inputs, or triggers. In suchembodiments, the staple cartridge consumes less power and generates alower amount of heat while the staple cartridge processor waits for asignal, or combination of signals, to switch into the high-power mode.In the low-power mode, in at least one embodiment, the staple cartridgeprocessor is configured to process data from the cartridge sensors at alow sampling rate and/or transmit data to the surgical instrument 10000,for example, across the data antenna couple at a low transmission rate.In the high-power mode, in at least one embodiment, the staple cartridgeprocessor is configured to process data from the cartridge sensors at ahigher sampling rate and/or transmit data to the surgical instrument10000 across the data antenna couple at a higher transmission rate. Inat least one embodiment, the staple cartridge comprises at least onestrain gauge, for example, mounted to the cartridge body which is incommunication with the staple cartridge processor and is configured tosense when the cartridge body is being compressed. When the voltagepotential being output by the strain gauge exceeds a threshold—inresponse to the cartridge body being subjected to a high strain—thestaple cartridge processor switches from the low-power mode to thehigh-power mode. In such instances, the staple cartridge can detect thatthe end effector 10400 of the surgical instrument 10000 has been clampedonto the patient tissue. In addition to or in lieu of the strain gaugediscussed above, the processor of the surgical instrument 10000 can emita signal to the processor of the staple cartridge across the dataantenna couple, for example, when the surgical instrument 10000 has beenclamped. In either event, the processor of the staple cartridge switchesfrom its lower-power mode to its high-power mode when the processordetermines that the surgical instrument 10000 is in its clamped state.In such instances, the staple cartridge processor can increase itssampling rate of the tissue sensor outputs and/or increase the datatransfer rate back to the processor of the surgical instrument 10000,for example.

In at least one embodiment, further to the above, the staple cartridgeis in a low-power mode when the surgical instrument 10000 is in anunclamped state and the staple cartridge is in an unfired state. Whenthe surgical instrument 10000 is clamped, the staple cartridge entersinto a first high-power mode where one or more functions, but not all ofthe functions, of the staple cartridge are switched on and/or modified.When the staple firing stroke is initiated by the surgical instrument10000, the staple cartridge enters into a second high-power mode whereall of the functions of the staple cartridge are switched on and arefully-operational. In at least one such embodiment, the processor of thestaple cartridge is configured to emit a first signal to the surgicalinstrument 10000 indicating that the staple cartridge has entered thefirst high-power mode and a second signal to the surgical instrument10000 indicating that the staple cartridge has entered the secondhigh-power mode. When the instrument processor of the surgicalinstrument 10000 receives the first signal, the instrument processorincreases the wattage of the power signal to the staple cartridge topower the staple cartridge in its first high-power mode. Likewise, theinstrument processor increases the wattage of the power signal to thestaple cartridge to power the staple cartridge in its second high-powermode when the instrument processor receives the second signal.

In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument is configured tosupply power to the staple cartridge at a first wattage when the staplecartridge is seated in the end effector of the surgical instrument andthe end effector is in an unclamped state, at a second wattage when theend effector is in a clamped state before the staple firing stroke, andat a third wattage during the staple firing stroke. In at least one suchembodiment, the second wattage is higher than the first wattage and thethird wattage such that the cartridge processor can process data fromthe tissue sensors at a higher rate to evaluate the tissue prior to thestaple firing stroke without generating an excessive amount of heatprior to the end effector being clamped and/or during the staple firingstroke. In at least one alternative embodiment, the third wattage ishigher than the first wattage and the second wattage such that thecartridge processor can process data from the tissue sensors at a higherrate to evaluate the tissue during the staple firing stroke withoutgenerating an excessive amount of heat prior to the staple firingstroke.

In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge is in a low-power modebefore the staple cartridge is seated in the surgical instrument 10000.When the staple cartridge is seated in the surgical instrument 10000,the staple cartridge enters into a first high-power mode where one ormore functions, but not all of the functions, of the staple cartridgeare switched on and/or modified. For instance, the identificationcircuit of the staple cartridge is switched on when the staple cartridgeis in the first high-power mode. When the surgical instrument 10000 isclamped, the staple cartridge enters into a second high-power mode whereone or more additional functions, but not all of the functions, of thestaple cartridge are switched on and/or modified. For instance, thetissue sensing circuit of the staple cartridge is switched on when thestaple cartridge is in the second high-power mode. When the staplefiring stroke is initiated by the surgical instrument 10000, the staplecartridge enters into a third high-power mode where all of the functionsof the staple cartridge are switched on and are fully-operational. In atleast one such embodiment, the processor of the staple cartridge isconfigured to emit a first signal to the surgical instrument 10000indicating that the staple cartridge has entered the first high-powermode, a second signal to the surgical instrument 10000 indicating thatthe staple cartridge has entered the second high-power mode, and a thirdsignal to the surgical instrument 10000 indicating that the staplecartridge has entered the third high-power mode. When the instrumentprocessor of the surgical instrument 10000 receives the first signal,the instrument processor increases the wattage of the power signal tothe staple cartridge to power the staple cartridge in its firsthigh-power mode. Likewise, the instrument processor increases thewattage of the power signal to the staple cartridge to power the staplecartridge in its second high-power mode when the instrument processorreceives the second signal. Likewise, the instrument processor increasesthe wattage of the power signal to the staple cartridge to power thestaple cartridge in its third high-power mode when the instrumentprocessor receives the third signal.

As discussed above, the processor of a staple cartridge is responsive toan input, or trigger, which activates one or more systems of the staplecartridge when the trigger is received. In various embodiments, thestaple cartridge comprises a control system including a wake-up circuitand an on-board power source. The wake-up circuit, when energized by apower source from outside of the staple cartridge, i.e., an off-boardpower source, connects the on-board power source with a datatransmission circuit of the control system to transmit data to thesurgical instrument 10000 via the data antenna couple. In at least oneinstance, the data transmission circuit emits an identification beaconto the surgical instrument 10000. If the control system of the staplecartridge does not establish authenticated communication with thesurgical instrument 10000 within a predefined time period after emittingthe identification beacon, the control system shuts down the datatransmission circuit by disconnecting the on-board power source from thedata transmission circuit until the wake-up circuit is re-energized bythe off-board power source. If, however, the staple cartridge doesestablish authenticated communication with the surgical instrument 10000within the predefined time period after emitting the identificationbeacon, the control system enters into a fully-awake high-poweroperating mode.

In various embodiments, further to the above, the control system of thestaple cartridge will switch from a low-power, or sleep, mode to ahigh-power, or awake, mode after receiving two inputs, or triggers. Inat least one embodiment, referring to FIG. 5A, the staple cartridgecomprises a retainer, or cover, 11900 attached to the cartridge bodythat extends over the top, or deck, of the cartridge body. The cover11900 comprises one or more attachment features 11910 configured toreleasably hold the cover 11900 to the staple cartridge. The staplecartridge further comprises a cover sensor circuit including a sensor,such as a Hall Effect sensor, for example, in communication with aprocessor of the cartridge control system. When the cover 11900 isattached to the cartridge body, a magnetic element mounted to the cover11900 interferes with the field emitted by the Hall Effect sensor and,when the cover 11900 is removed from the cartridge body, the magneticelement no longer interferes with the Hall Effect sensor field. Thischange in the Hall Effect sensor field is reflected in the voltageoutput of the Hall Effect sensor which is one of the triggers used bythe cartridge control system to switch the staple cartridge into itswake mode. In addition to the above, the cartridge jaw of the surgicalinstrument comprises a cartridge presence sensor circuit that iscompleted, or closed, when the staple cartridge is seated in thecartridge jaw. In at least one instance, the staple cartridge closes aproximity switch, for example, when the staple cartridge is seated inthe cartridge jaw. Like the cover sensor circuit, the cartridge presencesensor circuit is part of a wake circuit. The processor of the controlsystem is configured to switch from its low-power, or sleep, mode to itshigh-power, or wake, mode when the processor receives an input that thestaple cartridge is seated in the cartridge jaw and an input that thecover 11900 has been removed from the staple cartridge. In the sleepmode, the processor is not sampling data from the tissue sensors,processing data communicated to the staple cartridge from the surgicalinstrument, and/or transmitting data to the surgical instrument. In thewake mode, the processor is sampling data from the tissue sensors,processing data communicated to the staple cartridge from the surgicalinstrument, and transmitting data to the surgical instrument.

Further to the above, any suitable combination of wake-up events, ortriggers, can be used to switch the control system of a staple cartridgefrom its sleep mode to its wake mode. In at least one embodiment, afirst trigger is the removal of a cover from the staple cartridge andthe second trigger comprises a completed authentication sequence. In atleast one instance, the removal of the cover from the staple cartridgeis sensed by the processor of the control system which switches thestaple cartridge from its sleep mode into an authentication mode. In theauthentication mode, the processor of the staple cartridge emits anidentification beacon through a data antenna couple. If the instrumentprocessor recognizes the identification beacon, the instrument beaconemits a wake-up signal back to the staple cartridge. Upon receiving thewake-up signal, the processor switches from its authentication mode toits wake mode. In the wake mode, the control system of the staplecartridge is fully-functional while, in the authentication mode, thecontrol system of the staple cartridge may not be fully-functional. Forinstance, in at least one embodiment, the control system of the staplecartridge does not process the inputs from the tissue sensors when thestaple cartridge is in its authentication mode. Moreover, the processorincludes a timer circuit, function, and/or clock, for example, that isactivated when the processor enters into its authentication mode. Theprocessor is configured such that, if the processor does not receive thewake-up signal within a predetermined period of time as measured by thetimer circuit, the processor returns back into its sleep mode. Invarious instances, the identification beacon and/or the wake-up signalis encoded or encrypted. In at least one such instance, the instrumentprocessor is configured to decode or decrypt the identification beaconand/or the cartridge processor is configured to decode or decrypt thewake-up signal.

Various wake-up triggers can include, for example, installing a batteryinto the surgical instrument, removing the surgical instrument from acharging station, and/or attaching the surgical instrument to a roboticsurgical system. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrumentcomprises electrical contacts which are mated with correspondingelectrical contacts on an arm of the robotic surgical system which closea circuit that is sensed by the processor of the surgical instrumentand/or a processor of the robotic surgical system. In such instances,the surgical instrument and/or the robotic surgical system sends awake-up trigger signal to the staple cartridge seated in the surgicalinstrument. In at least one embodiment, the robotic surgical systemcomprises a vision system including one or more cameras which isconfigured to visually confirm the attachment of the stapling instrumentto the arm of the robotic surgical system and/or the presence of astaple cartridge in the cartridge jaw and then send a wake-up triggersignal to the staple cartridge seated in the surgical instrument. In atleast one such embodiment, the arm of the robotic surgical system and/orthe surgical instrument comprises clips which releasably retain thesurgical instrument to the arm and the vision system is configured toconfirm that the clips are in their locked position before emitting thewake-up trigger signal. In various embodiments, the operating theatre,or surgical suite, comprises a control system which is configured tosend a wake-up signal to the staple cartridge either directly and/orthrough the robotic surgical system and/or surgical instrument.

In various embodiments, a staple cartridge comprises a circuit incommunication with the processor of the staple cartridge. The circuitcomprises two contacts on the deck of the cartridge body and a gapbetween the contacts. When the staple cartridge is seated in thecartridge jaw and the end effector is in an open configuration, thecircuit is in an open condition. In such instances, the memory devicesof the staple cartridge cannot be accessed. When the end effector isclosed, the anvil jaw bridges the contacts and the circuit is in aclosed condition. In such instances, the memory devices of the staplecartridge can be accessed. In various embodiments, the circuit comprisesa wake-up circuit that, when closed, provides a voltage potential to aninput gate of the processor which, when received, causes the processorto switch from a sleep mode to a wake mode. In at least one suchembodiment, closing the wake up circuit when the end effector is closedplaces a battery or power source in the staple cartridge incommunication with the control system of the staple cartridge. Invarious other embodiments, closing the anvil opens a wake-up circuit incommunication with the processor. In at least one such embodiment, theanvil comprises a cutting element, such as a knife, for example, whichcuts a circuit in the staple cartridge leaving the circuit in an openstate. In such instances, the processor can interpret the loss of avoltage potential at an input gate as a wake-up signal.

In various instances, further to the above, the staple cartridge isstored in a hermetically-sealed package. Before loading the staplecartridge into the surgical instrument, a clinician must open thepackage and remove the staple cartridge. In at least one instance,removing the staple cartridge from the package activates a wake-uptrigger that causes the staple cartridge to switch from a sleep mode toa wake mode. In at least one embodiment, a sticker is attached to thepackage and the staple cartridge. In such instances, the stickermaintains a wake-up circuit in the staple cartridge in an opencondition. When the staple cartridge is removed from the package, thesticker detaches from the staple cartridge and the wake-up circuitbecomes closed. In such instances, the processor receives the wake-uptrigger signal to an input thereof. In at least one such instance, thestaple cartridge comprises an on-board power source, such as a batteryand/or charge accumulator, for example, that delivers a voltagepotential to the processor input when the sticker is detached from thestaple cartridge thereby providing the wake-up trigger signal to theprocessor. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge comprises awake-up circuit including a battery and spring-loaded battery contactswhich are held in an open condition by a tab when the staple cartridgeis positioned in a package. In at least one instance, the package iscomprised of a plastic material, such as TYVEK, for example. The tab isattached to the package and, when the staple cartridge is removed fromthe package, the tab is removed from between the battery and thespring-loaded battery contacts such that the battery contacts engage thebattery and close the wake-up circuit. At such point, the processor ofthe staple cartridge is powered and fully-functional.

As discussed above, the staple cartridge can comprise a cover, orretainer, 11900 that is attached to the cartridge body and, when thecover 11900 is removed from the cartridge body, a wake-up circuit in thestaple cartridge is closed and the processor enters into a woken state.Similar to the above, in at least one embodiment, the staple cartridgecomprises a wake-up circuit including a battery and spring-loadedbattery contacts which are held in an open condition by a tab affixed tothe cover 11900 when the cover 11900 is attached to the staplecartridge. When the cover 11900 is removed from the staple cartridge,the tab is removed from between the battery and the spring-loadedbattery contacts such that the battery contacts engage the battery andclose the wake-up circuit. At such point, the processor of the staplecartridge is powered and fully-functional. In other embodiments, theprocessor enters into a first powered mode when the cover 11900 isremoved. In at least one such embodiment, the processor enters into asecond powered mode as a result of a cartridge authentication process,for example.

In various embodiments, further to the above, a staple cartridgecomprises a wake up circuit including a Hall Effect sensor, for example,mounted to a first lateral side of the cartridge body and a magnetmounted to a second, or opposite lateral side of the cartridge body.When the cover 11900 of the staple cartridge is attached to thecartridge body, the cover 11900 is positioned between the Hall Effectsensor and the magnet. When the cover 11900 is removed from thecartridge body, the field detected by the Hall Effect sensor changesand, as a result, the voltage output of the Hall Effect sensor changeswhich is detected by the cartridge processor. Such a change in thevoltage potential is interpreted as a wake-up trigger by the processorand, in response to this wake-up trigger and/or a combination of wake-uptriggers including this wake-up trigger, the processor switches from asleep mode to a wake mode. In various instances, the cover 11900comprises a fin comprised of ferrite, for example, which is positionedbetween the magnet and the Hall Effect sensor when the cover 11900 isattached to the cartridge body.

Once the staple cartridge is removed from its packaging, further to theabove, the staple cartridge is seated in the cartridge jaw of thesurgical instrument. In various instances, there is a snap-fit and/orpress-fit arrangement between the staple cartridge and the cartridgejaw. When the staple cartridge is inserted into the cartridge jaw insuch instances, there may be a sudden acceleration of the staplecartridge into its seated position when a sufficient force is applied tothe staple cartridge to overcome the snap-fit and/or press-fit featureby the clinician. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge comprisesa power source, such as a battery and/or a charge accumulator, forexample, and, in addition, a wake-up circuit including an accelerometerin communication with the processor of the staple cartridge. Theaccelerometer is in communication with the power source and an inputgate of the processor and, when the staple cartridge is accelerated asit seated in the surgical instrument, the voltage output of theaccelerometer being supplied to the input gate of the processorincreases above a wake voltage threshold and, as a result, the staplecartridge switches from its sleep mode to its wake mode, for example. Inother embodiments, the processor enters into a first powered mode whenthe staple cartridge is seated. In at least one such embodiment, theprocessor enters into a second powered mode as a result of a cartridgeauthentication process, for example.

Once the staple cartridge is seated in the cartridge jaw, further to theabove, the end effector of the surgical instrument can be inserted intoa patient. In various instances, the end effector of the surgicalinstrument is inserted into the patient through a large, or open,incision, and then clamped onto the patient tissue. In other instances,the end effector of the surgical instrument is inserted into the patientthrough a cannula, or trocar. In such instances, the end effector isclosed, inserted through the trocar, and then re-opened once the endeffector is in the patient. At such point, the end effector is thenclamped onto the patient tissue. In either event, the end effector maybe opened and closed one or more times before being used in the patientand the clamping of the end effector can supply a wake-up trigger to thestaple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, a staple cartridgecomprises a processor, a power source, and a wake-up circuit incommunication with the processor and the power source. The wake-upcircuit comprises a switch in an open state which is closed when the endeffector of the surgical instrument is clamped. When the switch isclosed, the processor enters into its fully-powered state. In at leastone such embodiment, a movable anvil jaw physically contacts the staplecartridge to close the wake-up circuit. In at least one embodiment, thewake-up circuit comprises a Hall Effect sensor that detects the presenceof a magnetic element mounted to the anvil jaw when the anvil jaw is inits closed position. When the voltage output of the Hall Effect sensorchanges as a result of the presence of the magnetic element, theprocessor interprets the voltage output change as a wake-up trigger. Inat least one embodiment, the wake-up circuit comprises an inductionsensor that detects the presence of the metal anvil jaw in its closedposition. When the voltage output of the induction sensor changes as aresult of the anvil jaw being closed, the processor interprets thevoltage output change as a wake-up trigger.

In various embodiments, further to the above, a trocar comprises aproximal end including a sealed port, a distal end including a sharp tipconfigured to incise patient tissue, and a tube extending between theproximal end and the distal end. The sealed port comprises an enlargedopening and a flexible seal configured to form a substantially air-tightseal against the end effector and/or the shaft of the surgicalinstrument as they are inserted there through. In various embodiments,the trocar comprises a data transmitter including an antenna configuredto emit a wake-up signal to the staple cartridge as the staple cartridgepasses through the trocar. In various instances, the wake-up signal fromthe trocar data transmitter is a sufficient trigger to switch thecontrol system of the staple cartridge from its sleep mode to its wakemode and, in other instances, the wake-up signal from the trocar datatransmitter is one of several triggers needed to switch the controlsystem of the staple cartridge from its sleep mode to its wake mode. Inat least one embodiment, the trocar comprises a magnetic member, such asa permanent magnet, for example, and the staple cartridge comprises awake-up circuit including a sensor configured to detect the magneticmember. In at least one such embodiment, the staple cartridge comprisesa power source in communication with the sensor which comprises a HallEffect sensor, for example. When the staple cartridge is seated in theend effector and the end effector is inserted through the trocar, thefield emitted by the Hall Effect sensor is distorted by the magneticmember in the trocar which changes the voltage output of the Hall Effectsensor. This change in the sensor voltage output is detected by theprocessor of the staple cartridge and when the change exceeds apredetermined threshold, the processor is configured to switch from itssleep mode to its wake mode. In various embodiments, the tube of thetrocar comprises ferrous rings embedded therein and/or mounted theretoand the staple cartridge comprises a wake-up circuit including aninductive sensor configured to detect the ferrous rings. In at least oneembodiment, the inductive sensor comprises a field sensor, anoscillator, a demodulator, a flip-flop, and an output, for example. Whenthe staple cartridge is seated in the end effector and the end effectoris inserted through the trocar, the ferrous rings change the voltageoutput of the inductive sensor. This change in the sensor voltage outputis detected by the processor of the staple cartridge and when the changeexceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor is configured to switchfrom its sleep mode to its wake mode. In various instances, theinductive sensor outputs a voltage pulse for each ferrous ring that theinductive sensor passes through. In such instances, the processor isconfigured to switch to its wake mode after it has received a number ofpulses from the inductive sensor that exceeds a predetermined number ofpulses.

Referring again to FIG. 7 , a staple cartridge can comprise a powermanagement system including a processor and a charge accumulator, suchas the charge accumulator 11800, for example. The power managementsystem further comprises a charging circuit in communication with thecharge accumulator 11800 and includes an antenna configured to receivepower from a surgical instrument when the staple cartridge is seated inthe surgical instrument. In various instances, the surgical instrumentis capable of supplying power to the staple cartridge at a first, ormaximum, charging rate; however, there may be situations during the useof the staple cartridge in which the staple cartridge uses power at asecond rate which is higher than the maximum charging rate. Toaccommodate this higher power usage, the charge accumulator 11800 storespower when the power usage of the staple cartridge is below the maximumcharging rate. The processor of the staple cartridge is configured tomanage the power being stored in the charge accumulator 11800 and, whenthe charge accumulator 11800 reaches its maximum capacity, the processorsends a signal to the surgical instrument to reduce the power beingsupplied to the staple cartridge by the surgical instrument. In at leastone such instance, the signal includes data regarding the actual powerusage of the staple cartridge. The processor of the surgical instrument,upon receiving the signal, reduces the power being supplied to thestaple cartridge such that the charging rate matches the staplecartridge use rate. In many instances, the power usage of the staplecartridge may increase above the charging rate and the power managementsystem is configured to utilize power from the charge accumulator 11800until the charge of the charge accumulator 11800 falls below a re-chargethreshold. When the processor detects that the charge of the chargeaccumulator 11800 has fallen below the re-charge threshold, theprocessor of the staple cartridge sends a signal to the surgicalinstrument to restore the charging rate to the maximum charging rate inorder to re-charge the charge accumulator 11800. In addition to or inlieu of the charge accumulator 11800, the staple cartridge can compriseany suitable power storage device, such as a charge pump, battery,and/or super-capacitor, for example.

In various instances, further to the above, the charge accumulator 11800is not actively charged by the surgical instrument until at least onetrigger event has occurred. In at least one instance, the cartridgepower management system charges the charge accumulator 11800 afterreceiving a signal from a NFC antenna of the surgical instrument. In atleast one such instance, the power transferred from the NFC antennasufficiently charges the charge accumulator 11800 to place the staplecartridge in a charging mode before the staple cartridge enters into afully-powered mode. In certain instances, the cartridge processor emitsan identification beacon to the surgical instrument after the chargeaccumulator 11800 has been at least partially charged by the powertransferred from the NFC antenna. When the instrument processor receivesthe identification beacon from the staple cartridge, the instrumentprocessor delivers additional power to the staple cartridge across theNFC antenna and/or across a power antenna so that the cartridge powermanagement system fully charges the charge accumulator 11800. In variousinstances, the charge accumulator 11800 is at least partially charged bypower transmitted to the cartridge NFC antenna from the control systemof the operating room.

In various embodiments, the surgical instrument is configured to supplypower to the staple cartridge as soon as the staple cartridge is seatedin the surgical instrument. In at least one embodiment, the surgicalinstrument immediately supplies power to the staple cartridge via alow-power data antenna couple, such as a NFC antenna couple, forexample, when the staple cartridge is seated in the surgical instrument.In such instances, the cartridge power management system charges thecharge accumulator 11800 as part of a charging mode. In at least oneinstance, less than 0.1 W, for example, is supplied to the cartridgepower management system during the charging mode. After the processor ofthe staple cartridge has received the wake trigger or the combination ofwake triggers needed to switch the staple cartridge into its wake mode,the processor supplies a woken signal to the surgical instrument thatthe staple cartridge is in its wake mode. Once the processor of thesurgical instrument receives the woken signal, the surgical instrumentbegins supplying power to the staple cartridge through a high-powerantenna couple. In such instances, the cartridge power management systemcan then complete the charging of the charge accumulator 11800 if it hasnot already been fully-charged. In at least one instance, more that 1.0W, is supplied to the cartridge power management system during the wakemode. In various alternative embodiments, there is only one antennacouple between the staple cartridge and the surgical instrument. In suchembodiments, the surgical instrument can control whether low power orhigh power is supplied to the staple cartridge via the antenna based onwhether the instrument processor has received the woken signal from thestaple cartridge. In any event, if the cartridge power management systemdetermines that the charge accumulator 11800 has been fully charged andthe cartridge processor has not received the necessary wake trigger ortriggers to switch the staple cartridge into its wake mode, thecartridge power management system can switch open the charging circuitsupplying power to the charge accumulator 11800 to stop the charging ofthe charge accumulator 11800. In at least one embodiment, the cartridgeprocessor can emit a charged-but-not-woken signal to the instrumentprocessor which, upon receiving this signal, is configured to stopsupplying power to the staple cartridge until the instrument processorhas received the woken signal from the staple cartridge. Once theinstrument processor has received the woken signal, in suchcircumstances, the instrument processor is configured to start supplyingpower to the staple cartridge at the high-power level.

In various embodiments, as described above, a processor of a staplecartridge is configured to switch from a low-power, or sleep, mode to ahigh-power, or wake, mode when the processor receives a combination ofwake-up triggers. In various embodiments, the processor requires aspecific combination of triggers to enter into its wake mode. Forinstance, the cartridge processor switches into its wake mode when asufficient voltage potential is applied to a first input gate of theprocessor and a sufficient voltage potential is applied to a secondinput gate of the processor. In various embodiments, the processor isconfigured to switch from its sleep mode to its wake mode after a subsetof triggers out of a larger set of triggers has been received by theprocessor. In at least one such embodiment, the processor is configuredto receive three wake triggers but is configured to switch into its wakemode after any two of the wake triggers have been received. The voltagepotentials do not need to be applied to the processor gates at the sametime, but embodiments are envisioned in which the wake triggers must beapplied to the processor simultaneously for the processor to switch intoits wake mode. In at least one embodiment, a processor is configured toreceive two specific wake triggers at the same time to switch from itssleep mode to its wake mode. In at least one such embodiment, one of thewake triggers is the charge accumulator 11800 reaching a sufficientcharge level and the other trigger is an event, for example. That said,the charge accumulator 11800 reaching a sufficient charge level canserve as a wake trigger in any of the embodiments disclosed herein thatincludes the charge accumulator 11800, and/or any other suitable powerstorage device. Moreover, various alternative embodiments are envisionedin which the charge accumulator 11800 is not charged until after thecartridge processor has switched from its sleep mode to its wake mode.

In various embodiments, the staple cartridges disclosed herein compriseat least one memory device configured to store data regarding a propertyof the staple cartridge before, during, and/or after the staple firingstroke and/or a tissue property before, during, and/or after the staplefiring stroke. The memory device is in communication with the processorand the processor is configured to read data from the memory device andcommunicate the data in a stored data signal that is transmitted to anantenna of the staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the processoris configured to emit the stored data signal only after receiving a key,or key signal, that unlocks this function of the processor. For eachtime that the processor accesses the memory device to generate thestored data signal, the event is recorded on the memory device. In thisway, the memory device includes data regarding the number of times thatthe memory device has been accessed and when. Such access data can beincluded in the stored data signal. If the key signal supplied to thecartridge processor does not match an anticipated key signal stored inthe cartridge processor and/or memory device, the cartridge processordoes not generate the stored data signal. Instead, the failed attempt isrecorded on the memory device. In this way, the memory device includesdata regarding the number of times that access to the memory device datawas denied. Such access denial data can be included in the stored datasignal when the proper key signal is supplied to the cartridgeprocessor. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge processor entersinto a locked mode after the number of failed attempts to access thememory device has exceeded a threshold. In at least one instance, thethreshold is five failed attempts, for example. Once the cartridgeprocessor is in the locked mode, the cartridge processor is configuredto not generate the stored data signal even if the proper key signal isthereafter provided. In such instances, the data stored on the memorydevice is no longer accessible. In at least one alternative embodiment,the processor is unlockable after it has entered into its locked modewhen a master key, or master key signal, is provided to the processor.The master key is different than the key and, in various instances, mayonly be held by the original manufacturer of the staple cartridge, forexample. Providing the processor with the master key signal would causethe processor to emit the stored data signal even if the processor isnot in the locked mode.

Further to the above, the data stored on the memory device can beencrypted or encoded according to any suitable protocol. After receivingthe key and/or master key, the processor is configured to decrypt ordecode the data stored on the memory device and transmit the decryptedor decoded data in the stored data signal. However, various alternativeembodiments are envisioned in which the processor is configured to emitencrypted or encoded data as part of the stored data signal. In at leastone such embodiment, a decryption key or code stored on the memorydevice is included in the stored data signal. In such embodiments, thesurgical instrument, and/or any suitable system, can decrypt or decodethe data in the stored data system.

In various instances, the cartridge processor must receive a uniqueidentification key to create the stored data signal discussed above.This unique identification key is predefined and static and anyone whosupplies the unique identification key to the cartridge processor canaccess the data stored on the memory device. In other embodiments, thekey needed to access the data stored on the memory device is dynamic. Inat least one embodiment, the dynamic key includes performanceinformation regarding the staple cartridge. Such performance informationcan comprise data regarding a mechanical feature and/or an electricalfeature. For instance, the dynamic key can include information regardingthe final position of the sled in the staple cartridge after the staplefiring stroke, for example. Also, for instance, the dynamic key caninclude information regarding the maximum current drawn by the electricmotor of the staple firing system drawn during the staple firing stroke,for example. In such instances, the performance information can beshared between the staple cartridge and the surgical instrument duringand/or after the staple firing stroke. For instance, the staplecartridge can comprise a sled position sensor and can communicate thefinal position of the sled after the staple firing stroke to thesurgical instrument. Also, for instance, the surgical instrument cancomprise an electric motor current sensor and can communicate the peakcurrent drawn by the electric motor during the staple firing stroke tothe staple cartridge. This performance information can also be sharedwith the robotic surgical system and/or the operating room controlsystem, for example. In any event, such shared performance data cancomprise the dynamic key that is used to access the data stored on thememory device of the staple cartridge.

In addition to or in lieu of the above, a staple cartridge comprises asecurity circuit that is closed when the movable components of thestaple cartridge are arranged in a specific arrangement. The securitycircuit is in communication with the processor and, when the securitycircuit is in a closed state, the processor is in an unlocked statewhich permits the processor to generate the stored data signal inresponse to an interrogation signal and/or otherwise permit the datastored on the memory device to be accessed by the surgical instrument,the robotic surgical system, and/or the operating room control system,for example. When the security circuit is in an open state, theprocessor is in a locked state and is configured to not emit the storeddata signal or permit the data stored on the memory device to beaccessed. In at least one embodiment, the security circuit of a staplecartridge is in a closed state when the cover 11900 is not attached tothe cartridge body and the sled is not in its unfired position. Invarious embodiments, the security circuit prevents the processor frombeing powered by a surgical instrument, for example, when the securitycircuit is in its open state. When the security circuit is in its closedstate, the processor can be powered by the surgical instrument. When theprocessor is powered by the surgical instrument, in such embodiments,the processor can generate the stored data signal. In at least one suchembodiment, the staple cartridge must be seated in the surgicalinstrument, for example, to complete the security circuit. In at leastone embodiment, the security circuit comprises electrical contacts thatengage corresponding electrical contacts in the surgical instrument, forexample, which close the security circuit when the staple cartridge isseated in the surgical instrument.

In various embodiments, the security circuit comprises a securityantenna which is in communication with a corresponding security antennain the surgical instrument, for example, when the staple cartridge isseated in the surgical instrument. In at least one such embodiment, thesled is positioned between the cartridge security antenna and theinstrument security antenna when the sled is in its unfired position. Insuch instances, the sled inhibits or prevents communication between thestaple cartridge and the surgical instrument across the security antennacouple. After the sled has been moved distally, the sled no longerblocks the transmission of data and/or power between the staplecartridge and the surgical instrument.

In various embodiments, as discussed above, the security circuit of astaple cartridge is configurable in an open state and a closed state.Various alternative embodiments are envisioned in which the securitycircuit is in a closed state, but a detectable property of the securitycircuit changes as a result of the moveable components of the staplecartridge being in a specific configuration or range of configurations.In at least one embodiment, the voltage potential across the securitycircuit is within a first voltage range when the cover 11900 is attachedto the cartridge body and the sled is in its unfired position, a secondvoltage range when the cover 11900 is removed from the cartridge bodyand the sled is in its unfired position, and a third voltage range whenthe cover 11900 is removed from the cartridge body and sled is in afired position. When the voltage potential across the security circuitis within the third voltage range, the processor is in its unlockedstate. When the voltage potential across the security circuit is withinthe first voltage range or the second voltage range, the processor is inits locked state, for example.

In various embodiments, a staple cartridge comprises an access coverthat is opened when the staple cartridge is seated in the cartridge jawof the surgical instrument. When the access cover is opened, a dataaccess circuit is closed which permits the surgical instrument to accessthe memory devices of the staple cartridge. In at least one instance, acartridge jaw comprises a conductive contact element that bridges anopening in the data access circuit when the staple cartridge is seatedin the cartridge jaw and the access cover is opened. In at least oneembodiment, the access door comprises a foil sheet, for example. In atleast one embodiment, the memory device comprises an RFID tag, forexample. When the staple cartridge is not seated in the surgicalinstrument, however, the data access circuit is in an open condition andthe memory devices of the surgical instrument cannot be accessed.

The entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 8,991,678, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH STOWING KNIFE BLADE, which issued on Mar. 31, 2015, U.S.Pat. No. 10,085,749, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS WITH CONDUCTOR STRAINRELIEF, which issued on Oct. 2, 2018, and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0324317, entitled AUTHENTICATION AND INFORMATIONSYSTEM FOR REUSABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, which published on Nov. 12,2015, are incorporated by reference herein.

Further to the above, the memory device of the staple cartridge canstore any suitable data. For instance, the stored data can include thesize of the staples stored in the staple cartridge, the unformed heightof the staples stored in the staple cartridge (which may be reflected inthe color of the cartridge body), the number of staples stored in thestaple cartridge, the arrangement of the staples stored in the staplecartridge, and/or the length of the staple pattern of the staples storedin the staple cartridge (such as 30 mm, 45 mm, or 60 mm, for example).Also, for instance, the stored data can include whether or not thestaple cartridge has been fired, when the staple cartridge was fired,the distance traveled by the sled during the staple firing stroke, thetime lapsed during the staple firing stroke, the speed of the staplefiring stroke, the accelerations and decelerations of the staple firingsystem incurred during the staple firing stroke, the firing forceexperienced during the staple firing stroke, and/or whether a foreignobject was encountered and/or incised during the staple firing stroke.Also, for instance, the stored data can include the number of sensors inthe staple cartridge, the type of sensors, and/or the location of thesensors in the cartridge body. Also, for instance, the stored data caninclude the data sensed by the sensors. Also, for instance, the storeddata can include the type of tissue being stapled, the thickness of thetissue being stapled, the properties of the tissue being stapled, and/orthe position of the tissue between the jaws of the end effector. Also,for instance, the stored data can include the manufacturing date of thestaple cartridge, the lot to which the staple cartridge belongs, themanufacturing location of the staple cartridge, the manufacturer of thestaple cartridge, the sterilization date of the staple cartridge, thetype of sterilant used to sterilize the staple cartridge, the expirationdate of the staple cartridge, and/or whether the staple cartridge wasfired past the expiration date and by how much.

According to at least one method, a staple cartridge is removed from itspackage and seated in the cartridge jaw of a stapling instrument. Thestapling instrument is then attached to an arm of a robotic surgicalsystem and the robotic surgical system is powered on and/or switchedfrom a sleep mode to a wake mode. The control system of the roboticsurgical system is configured to transmit electrical power down throughthe surgical instrument to assess whether or not the staple cartridge isseated in the cartridge jaw and then transmit mechanical power downthrough the surgical instrument to assess whether or not the staplecartridge is in an unfired condition. In at least one embodiment,further to the above, the robotic surgical system sends power to thedata antenna, such as an NFC antenna, for example, in the surgicalinstrument to supply power to the staple cartridge. As discussed above,the staple cartridge is configured to return an identification signalback to the surgical instrument. In various instances, thisidentification signal is processed on the surgical instrument and/or inthe robotic surgical system. In either event, the staple cartridge isvalidated if the authentication procedure is successful. If theauthentication procedure is unsuccessful, the robotic surgical system isconfigured to notify the clinician operating the robotic surgicalsystem. In order to verify if the staple cartridge is unspent, i.e., notpreviously fired, the staple firing member is advanced distally a smallstroke by a motor drive of the surgical instrument and/or roboticsurgical system. If the staple firing drive is blocked by a mechanicalfeature in the surgical instrument, then the robotic surgical system isconfigured to determine that the staple cartridge has been previouslyspent and prevents the staple cartridge from being fired. If the staplefiring system is not blocked by the mechanical feature, then the roboticsurgical system is configured to stop the staple firing drive after thesmall stroke and determine that the staple cartridge is unfired. Inaddition to the identification data transmitted from the staplecartridge to the surgical instrument and/or robotic surgical system, thestaple cartridge can also transmit data stored on a cartridge memorydevice including the expiration date of the staple cartridge, the lengthof the pattern of staples stored in the staple cartridge, the unformedheight of the staples stored in the staple cartridge, the color of theplastic cartridge body, the manufacturer of the staple cartridge, and/orwhether the staple cartridge has been fired. If the received parametersof the staple cartridge do not match the required parameters of thestaple cartridge, then the clinician operating the robotic surgicalsystem is notified.

In addition to the above, the staple cartridge, surgical instrument,and/or robotic surgical system are configured to mitigate errors inand/or data missing from the cartridge data supplied by the staplecartridge. Data may be missing or have errors resulting from shortingwithin the sensors, corrosion, an incompatible or incorrect staplecartridge being used, electronic interference from adjacent surgicalinstruments and/or surgical systems, software bugs, defective hardware,and/or the sterilization process, for example. As such, one or moreforms of redundancy can be employed to improve the likelihood that thesurgical instrument and/or robotic surgical system receive the data fromthe staple cartridge. For instance, in at least one embodiment, the samedata is stored in different locations within the stored data signal. Insuch instances, some data may be lost or corrupted in one part of thesignal but can be obtained from another part of the signal. Also, thestored data can include data from two different sources that can be seenas functional equivalents. For instance, data from a force, or load,sensor in the staple firing drive and data from a current sensormonitoring the current drawn by the electric motor of the staple firingdrive can both be part of the stored data. In such instances, if theforce sensor data is lost or corrupted in the signal, the processor canrely on the current sensor data to assess the forces experienced by thestaple firing drive, for example.

In at least one embodiment, a staple cartridge can comprise more thanone memory device with the stored data. In at least one such embodiment,the processor of the staple cartridge emits a first stored data signalincluding the data from a first memory device and then a second storeddata signal including the data from a second memory device as part of anauthentication or interrogation process of the staple cartridge. If thedata from the first memory device and the second memory device isuncorrupted, in at least one embodiment, the first stored data signalwill match the second stored data signal. In at least one embodiment,the first stored data signal comprises a first signal header at thebeginning of the first stored data signal and the second stored datasignal comprises a second signal header at the beginning of the secondstored data signal which is different than the first signal header. Insuch instances, the surgical instrument processor and/or the controlsystem of the robotic surgical system are able to differentiate betweenthe first stored data signal and the second data signal. If the surgicalinstrument processor and/or the control system of the robotic surgicalsystem determine that the either of the signals was corrupted and/ormissing data, they are configured to establish a preference for theother signal. In various instances, the first memory device is locatedon a first lateral side of the staple cartridge while the second memorydevice is located on a second, or opposite, lateral side of the staplecartridge. Such an arrangement can reduce the possibility of electronicinterference effecting both signals. In at least one embodiment, thestaple cartridge comprises a first data antenna for transmitting thefirst stored data signal and a second data antenna for transmitting thesecond data signal.

The staple cartridge, surgical instrument, and/or robotic surgicalsystem can be configured to take other mitigation efforts if the datacontained in the stored data signal is corrupted and/or missing. Invarious instances, the staple cartridge can increase the power of thestored data signal if data is missing from the signal received by thesurgical instrument and/or robotic surgical system. In at least oneinstance, the processor of the surgical instrument and/or roboticsurgical system can increase its noise threshold if the data receivedfrom the staple cartridge is corrupted.

In various embodiments, the data and/or power transmitted between thesurgical instrument and the staple cartridge can be continuous orintermittent. In various embodiments, the transferred data may comprisediscrete digital data and/or continuous analog data, for example. Whentransferring digital data, RFID, NFC, Hitachi UHF, Bluetooth, Zigbee, mmwave, WiFi 802.11 and/or any other suitable wireless system can be used.Also, when transferring digital data, wired LAN communications, 1-wirecommunication, EPROM IC, I²C, and/or any other suitable devices can beused. The various types of digital data that can be transferred includesmotor feedback comprising the current magnitude, the time rate of changeof the current, the torque magnitude, the time rate of change of thetorque, position data from the encoder, the torque constant, magneticstrength, number of wire turns, armature length, data regarding thetorque-current curve, motor regulation, EMF constant, dynamicresistance, back EMF, angular speed, motor speed, and/or the motor speedtime rate of change, for example. Other transferred data can include theinstrument handle hardware configuration and/or data regarding physicalcontacts and/or switches, for example.

Further to the above, the transferred analog data can includeelectrically-derived and mechanically-derived data. Electrically-deriveddata can include magnetic indicators, Hall Effect sensor data, dataregarding the state of switches, diode data, the opening or closing of acircuit, and/or the destruction of a circuit such as when the sledand/or tissue cutting knife cuts a circuit during the staple firingstroke, for example. Mechanically-derived data can includemagnitude-based data such as the force transmitted by the motor and/orthe motor current, for example, related to specific events of the staplefiring stroke such as the firing member contacting the sled, the sledbeing dislodged from its proximal unfired position, the formation of thestaples, and/or the firing member contacting and/or destroying a detentfeature of the staple cartridge, for example. Mechanically-derived datacan also include time-based data comparing the performance data of themotor to the time in which the event occurred and/or position-based datacomparing the performance data of the motor with the position of thestaple firing drive, for example. Mechanically-derived data can alsoinclude feature-based data such as when the staple firing drive opensand/or closes a gate and/or when a detent feature of the staplecartridge is destroyed by the staple firing drive, for example.

In various embodiments, a surgical system, such as a robotic surgicalsystem, for example, can include a visualization system including atleast one camera which is configured to observe a parameter of thestaple cartridge, for example, and modify the operation of the roboticsurgical system, surgical instrument, and/or staple cartridge based onthe observation. For instance, the visualization system is configured todetect and evaluate physical features, or markers, on the staplecartridge and the cartridge jaw to assess whether the staple cartridgeis fully seated in the cartridge jaw. If the markers on the staplecartridge and cartridge jaw are not properly aligned, the visualizationsystem can instruct the robotic surgical system to lock out the jawclamping and/or staple firing functions of the robotic surgical system,for example. In various embodiments, the visualization system caninstruct the robotic surgical system to warn the operator that thestaple cartridge may not be seated correctly in the cartridge jaw. Also,for instance, the visualization system is configured to detect whetheran implantable adjunct is attached to the deck of the staple cartridgeand/or whether the implantable adjunct is aligned with the deck of thestaple cartridge. Similar to the above, the implantable adjunct and thestaple cartridge comprise markers which the visualization system candetect and compare to assess whether the implantable adjunct issufficiently aligned and, if it is not, instruct the robotic surgicalsystem to warn the operator.

In various embodiments, further to the above, a visualization system isconfigured to observe the color of the cartridge body and provide thisdata to the robotic surgical system which can display this data to theoperator. In various instances, the color of the cartridge bodysignifies the size and/or unformed height of the staples containedtherein. The robotic surgical system is configured to assess whether thestaples contained in the staple cartridge are suitable for the surgicalprocedure being performed and, if they are not, warn the operator. Invarious instances, the visualization system is configured to read a barcode and/or a QR code, for example, on the staple cartridge and providethis data to the robotic surgical system which can display this data tothe operator. Similar to the above, this data can include the sizeand/or unformed height of the staples contained therein. The roboticsurgical system is configured to assess whether the staples contained inthe staple cartridge are suitable for the surgical procedure beingperformed and, if they are not, warn the operator. The QR code, forexample, can include the serial number of the staple cartridge, themanufacturing date, and/or data identifying the manufacturer of thestaple cartridge, for example. In various embodiments, the QR codecontains the decryption key, or a portion of the decryption key, toaccess the memory devices in the staple cartridge. In variousembodiments, the QR code, for example, is molded into the cartridgebody, laser-etched into the cartridge body and/or pan, and/or printed onthe cartridge body and/or pan, for example.

As discussed above, referring again to FIG. 1 , the surgical instrument10000 comprises a shaft 10200 and an end effector 10400 rotatablycoupled to the shaft 10200 about an articulation joint 10500. Thesurgical instrument 10000″, referring to FIGS. 8-8D, is similar to thesurgical instrument 10000 in many respects, many of which are notdiscussed herein for the sake of brevity. The surgical instrument10000″, like the surgical instrument 10000, comprises a staple firingdrive which is operable to perform a staple firing stroke to eject thestaples from the staple cartridge 11000″. The staple firing driveincludes an electric motor, a tissue cutting knife 10630, and a firingbar 10640 that is driven distally by the electric motor to push thetissue cutting knife 10630 through the staple cartridge 11000″ duringthe staple firing stroke. In such instances, the tissue cutting knife10630 contacts the sled 11400 of the staple cartridge 11000″ and pushesthe sled 11400 distally to eject the staples as the tissue cutting knife10630 is advanced distally through the staple firing stroke. The tissuecutting knife 10630 further comprises a first cam 10610 configured toengage the first jaw 10410 and a second cam 10620 configured to engagethe second jaw 10420 during the staple firing stroke. The first cam10610 and the second cam 10620 are configured to co-operatively hold thejaws 10410 and 10420 in position relative to one another as the staplesare being deformed against the second jaw 10420.

In various embodiments, the staple firing drive can also be used toclose the end effector 10400. In at least one such embodiment, thetissue cutting knife 10630 is advanced distally during a closure strokesuch that the second cam 10620 contacts the second jaw 10420 and movesthe second jaw 10420 from an open position to a closed position. Afterthe closure stroke, the staple firing drive can be re-actuated toperform the staple firing stroke discussed above. In alternativeembodiments, the surgical instrument comprises separate and distinctclosing and staple firing drives. In at least one such embodiment, theclosing drive is actuated to close the second jaw 10420 and the staplefiring drive is then separately actuated to perform the staple firingdrive. In either event, the cams 10610 and 10620 can co-operate to holdthe jaws 10410 and 10420 together during the staple firing stroke. Thatsaid, other embodiments are envisioned without one or both of the cams10610 and 10620.

Further to the above, the surgical instrument 10000″, like the surgicalinstrument 10000, comprises a lockout 10700 which prevents the staplefiring stroke from being performed if the first jaw 10410 is empty,i.e., missing a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge is positioned inthe first jaw 10410 but not fully-seated in the first jaw 10410, and/orthe staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw 10410 but has beenpreviously fired. In any of these instances, the tissue cutting knife10630 is pushed downwardly by a spring (in the shaft 10200) into arecess 10710 defined in the first jaw 10410 when the staple firingstroke is initiated such that the tissue cutting knife 10630 contacts alock shoulder 10720 and the tissue cutting knife 10630 is blocked frombeing advanced further distally. At such point, the surgical instrument10000″ is locked out and the staple firing stroke cannot be performeduntil an unspent staple cartridge is fully seated in the first jaw10410. When an unspent staple cartridge is fully seated in the first jaw10410 and the staple firing stroke is re-initiated, the tissue cuttingknife 10630 passes over the lock shoulder 10720 of the lockout 10700 andthe staple firing stroke can be completed. More specifically, the sled11400 of the staple cartridge 11000″ supports the tissue cutting knife10630 above the lock shoulder 10720 when the sled 11400 is in itsproximal, unfired position at the beginning of the staple firing stroke.The above being said, any suitable lockout can be used.

The entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,923, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A FIRING LOCKOUT FOR AN UNCLOSED ANVIL, whichissued on Dec. 5, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,352, SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING,which issued on May 16, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, whichissued on Feb. 21, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,649, SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, which issued on Jan. 24,2006; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,921, SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTINCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, which issued on Dec. 27, 2005,are incorporated by reference herein.

Further to the above, the cartridge body 11100 comprises a longitudinalslot 11150 defined therein which is configured to receive the tissuecutting knife 10630 during the staple firing stroke. The longitudinalslot 11150 comprises a wide proximal end 11152 leading into alongitudinal portion 11156. The longitudinal slot 11150 furthercomprises bumps, or projections, 11154 that extend inwardly into thelongitudinal portion 11156. The bumps 11154 releasably hold the sled11400 in its proximal, unfired position until the sled 11400 is pusheddistally by the tissue cutting knife 10630 during the staple firingstroke. Such an arrangement prevents, or reduces the possibility of, thesled 11400 being accidentally pushed distally when the staple cartridge11000″ is seated in the first jaw 10410, for example. The bumps 11154can also be contacted by the tissue cutting knife 10630 during thestaple firing stroke. In such instances, the tissue cutting knife 10630can yield, plastically deform, and/or destroy one or both of the bumps11154. Such an event may create a momentary pulse or increase in theforce needed to move the tissue cutting knife 10630 distally that isdetectable by the control system operating the staple firing drive, asdiscussed further below. Notably, the bumps 11154 are positioneddistally with respect to the lockout 11700 and, as such, the tissuecutting knife 10630 will pass by the lockout 11700 and then the bumps11154 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke. The above beingsaid, alternative embodiments of are envisioned with two sets ofbumps—one set of bumps 11154 for holding the sled 11400 in position anda second set of bumps for creating the detectable force pulse.

Sensors in an end effector of a surgical instrument measure varioustissue parameters and instrument parameters that allow the surgicalinstrument to perform a number of tasks. Although higher sensor samplingrates are generally associated with more accurate sensor data,indiscriminately maximizing the sampling rates of all the sensors withinan end effector while the surgical instrument is active is quite taxingon power consumption, data transmission, and/or data processing.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to circuitsand/or algorithms for optimizing sensor data collection, transmission,and/or processing based on real-time constraints of data bandwidth orcapacity, power transfer or discharge rate, and/or remaining powercapacity.

Additionally, or alternatively, various aspects of the presentdisclosure are directed to circuits and/or algorithms that optimizesensor data collection, transmission, and/or processing based on one ormore detected aspects of the surgical instrument, the surgical taskbeing performed by the surgical instrument, and/or signal(s) from asituationally-aware surgical hub, which can represent a priority levelof the sensor data, as discussed in greater detail below.

In various aspects, the surgical instrument may require different sensorarrangements for different tasks. Also, sensor-data resolutionrequirements may vary between different tasks and, in certain instances,within the duration of a single task. Various aspects of the presentdisclosure are directed to circuits and/or algorithms that optimizesensor data collection, transmission, and/or processing based on variouscontextual information derived from various sources of data, asdiscussed in greater detail below.

Optimizing sensor data collection, transmission, and/or processing canbe achieved by modulating, adapting, or adjusting one or more sensorparameters associated with data collection, transmission, and/orprocessing such as, for example, sensor sampling rate, sampling drivecurrent and/or voltage, collection rate, sensor data resolution,sensor-data transmission rate, duration of activation, and/or frequencyof activation. In at least one example, a sensor, or a group of sensors,can be switched to an inactive mode, an idler mode, or an active mode tooptimize sensor data collection, transmission, and/or processing.

FIG. 13 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1000 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for optimizing sensor data collection,transmission, and/or processing in connection with a sensor arrayconfigured to detect one or more conditions of an end effector of asurgical instrument. In the illustrated example, the algorithm 1000includes detecting 1002 a bandwidth or capacity (B) of data transmissionbetween the sensor array and a remote processing unit, detecting 1004 adischarge rate (D) of a power source configured to supply power to theend effector, and modulating 1008 a sensor parameter of a sensor, or asubset of sensors, of the sensor array based on a detected value of thebandwidth (B) and a detected value of the discharge rate (D). In certaininstances, the algorithm 1000 further includes detecting 1006 aremaining capacity (R) of the power source, and modulating 1008 a sensorparameter of the sensor, or the subset of sensors, of the sensor arrayfurther based on a detected value of the remaining capacity (R) of theremote power source. In certain instances, as described in greaterdetail below, sensor-parameter modulation can be achieved by selecting asensor-parameter value based on detected values of bandwidth (B),discharge rate (D), and/or remaining capacity (R).

FIG. 14 is a logic flow diagram of another algorithm 1010 depicting acontrol program or a logic configuration for optimizing sensor datacollection, transmission, and/or processing in connection with a sensorarray configured to detect one or more conditions of an end effector ofa surgical instrument. The algorithm 1010 includes receiving 1012 one ormore signals indicative of a priority level of sensor data of a subsetof sensors of the sensor array, and modulating 1014 a sensor parameterof the subset of sensors based on the detected priority level of thesensor data. Additionally, or alternatively, the algorithm 1010 mayfurther include modulating 1016 a sensor parameter of another subset ofsensors based on the priority level of the sensor data.

As discussed above, the sensor parameter modulation (e.g. 1014, 1016)can be performed on one or more sensor parameters associated with datacollection, transmission, and/or processing such as, for example, sensorsampling rate, sampling drive current and/or voltage, collection rate,sensor data resolution, sensor-data transmission rate, duration ofactivation, and/or frequency of activation. In certain instances, themodulation (e.g. 1014, 1016) of the sensor parameter of the subset ofsensors is further based on real-time constraints of data bandwidth (B),power discharge rate (D), and/or power remaining capacity (C), forexample.

In certain instances, sensor-parameter modulation comprises adjustingthe content of the sampling waveform/signal (i.e. spectrum of light,frequency of vibration, AC frequencies, etc.). In other instances,sensor-parameter modulation comprises adjusting sampling time of thesignal analyzer, reducing the number of active sensors,multiplexing/combining individual sensors into a single sensor, and/oranalyzing different combinations of sensors.

Furthermore, sensor-parameter modulation can include one or more steppedadjustments to the sensor parameter, which may be implemented over oneor more predetermined time periods. Additionally, or alternatively,sensor-parameter modulation can include one or more gradual adjustmentsto the sampling parameter, which may be implemented over one or morepredetermined time periods.

In certain instances, a sensor parameter can be modulated to a valueequal to, or at least substantially equal to, zero. Further,sensor-parameter modulations can be separated by periods of nomodulation, for example. In various instances, sensor-parametermodulation can be implemented in accordance with one or more presetequations, tables, and/or databases, as discussed in greater detailbelow.

Further to the above, the algorithm 1010 may include adjusting a sensorparameter of a first subset of sensors of the sensor array based on thepriority level of the sensor data received from a second subset of thesensor array. For example, during articulation of the end effector, thealgorithm 1010 may decrease a sampling parameter of a first subset ofsensors relevant to closure and/or firing of the end effector, and mayincrease a sampling parameter of a second subset sensors relevant toarticulation. The adjustments improve the resolution of the articulationsensor data without data and/or power overtaxing. In another example,during firing of the end effector, the algorithm 1010 may decrease thesampling parameter of the second subset of sensors relevant to closureof the end effector, and may increase the sampling parameter of thefirst subset of sensors relevant to firing. Additionally, oralternatively, during closure, the algorithm 1010 may increase thesampling parameter of the second subset of sensors relevant to closureof the end effector, and may increase the sampling parameter of thefirst subset of sensors relevant to firing. In at least one example, thearticulation, firing, and/or closure durations can be ascertained basedon situational awareness data, as discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 15 is a logic flow diagram of another algorithm 1080 depicting acontrol program or a logic configuration for optimizing sensor datacollection, transmission, and/or processing in connection with a sensorarray configured to detect one or more conditions of an end effector ofa surgical instrument. In the illustrated example, the algorithm 1080determines 1081 a priority level of one or more subsets of sensors ofthe sensor array. In certain instances, the priority level can bedetermined based on one or more signals indicative of the priority levelsuch as, for example, the task being performed, or about to beperformed, by the surgical instrument. In any event, if 1082 thepriority level is determined to be a high priority level, the one ormore subsets of sensor are switched to an active mode 1083, for example.However, if 1082 the priority level is determined to be a low prioritylevel, the one or more subsets of sensor are switched to an idler mode1084, for example.

In various aspects, the active mode 1083 is defined by one or morehigher values of sensor parameters associated with data collection,transmission, and/or processing such as, for example, sensor samplingrate, sampling drive current and/or voltage, collection rate, sensordata resolution, sensor-data transmission rate, duration of activation,and/or frequency of activation. On the contrary, the idler mode 1084 isdefined by lower values of such sensor parameters compared to the activemode 1083. As such, sensor data in the idler mode 1084 can be associatedwith higher noise and a lowered resolution. In certain instances, thepriority level of a subset of sensors is determined to be a highpriority level, which triggers a switch to the active mode 1082, if avariation, or a spike, in the high noise/low resolution sensor data isdetected.

FIG. 16 illustrates various aspects of a surgical system 1020 configuredto implement aspects of one or more algorithms for optimizing sensordata collection, transmission, and/or processing such as, for example,the algorithms 1000, 1010, 1080. In the illustrated example, thesurgical system 1020 includes a surgical instrument 1022 including acontrol circuit 1026. The surgical instrument 1022 may also includewired and/or wireless communication circuits to communicate with asurgical hub 1024, a local server, and/or a cloud-based system. Incertain instances, the surgical instrument 1022 is a handheld surgicalinstrument. In other instances, the surgical instrument 1022 is arobotic surgical tool.

In the illustrated example, the control circuit 1026 includes amicrocontroller 1028 comprising one or more processors 1030 (e.g.,microprocessor, microcontroller) coupled to at least one memory circuit1032. The memory circuit 1032 stores machine-executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processor 1030, cause the processor 1030 toimplement various processes or algorithms described herein. Theprocessor 1030 may be any one of a number of single-core or multicoreprocessors known in the art. The memory circuit 1032 may comprisevolatile and non-volatile storage media. The processor 1030 may includean instruction processing unit and an arithmetic unit. The instructionprocessing unit may be configured to receive instructions from thememory circuit 1032 of this disclosure. The control circuit 1026 maycomprise analog or digital circuits such as, for example, programmablelogic devices (PLD), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), discretelogic, or other hardware circuits, software, and/or firmware, or othermachine executable instructions to perform the functions explained inthe present description.

Further to the above, the control circuit 1026 is in signalcommunication with a motor driver 1034, a feedback system 1038, a powersource 1043 (e.g. a battery, a super capacitor, or any other suitableenergy source), and a sensor array 1036 configured to detect one or moreconditions of an end effector 1040 of the surgical instrument 1022. Anelectric motor 1042, driven by the motor driver 1034, operably couplesto a longitudinally movable displacement member 1044 configured to drivefiring, closure, and/or articulation motions at the end effector 1040,as explained in greater detail elsewhere herein. In certain instances, asurgical instrument 1022 may include dedicated motor drivers and/ormotors for firing, closure, and/or articulation.

In certain instances, the control circuit 1026 may control the motor1042 by generating a motor set point signal. The motor set point signalmay be provided to the motor driver 1034. The motor driver 1034 maycomprise one or more circuits configured to provide a motor drive signalto the motor 1042 to drive the motor 1042 as described herein. In someexamples, the motor 1042 may be a brushed DC electric motor. Forexample, the velocity of the motor 1042 may be proportional to the motordrive signal. In some examples, the motor 1042 may be a brushless DCelectric motor and the motor drive signal may comprise a PWM signalprovided to one or more stator windings of the motor 1042. Also, in someexamples, the motor driver 1034 may be omitted, and the control circuit1026 may generate the motor drive signal directly.

In various arrangements, the sensor array 1036 may comprise any suitablesensor for detecting one or more conditions at the end effector 1040including, without limitation, a tissue thickness sensor such as a HallEffect Sensor or a reed switch sensor, an optical sensor, amagneto-inductive sensor, a force sensor, a pressure sensor, apiezo-resistive film sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an eddy currentsensor, an accelerometer, a pulse oximetry sensor, a temperature sensor,a sensor configured to detect an electrical characteristic of a tissuepath (such as capacitance or resistance), or any combination thereof. Incertain instances, and without limitation, the sensor array 1036 mayinclude one or more sensors located at, or about, articulation joint ofthe surgical instrument 1022 such as, for example, a potentiometer, acapacitive sensor (slide potentiometer), piezo-resistive film sensor, apressure sensor, a pressure sensor, or any other suitable sensor type.In some arrangements, the sensor array 1036 may comprise a plurality ofsensors located in multiple locations in, or on, the end effector 1040.

Still referring to FIG. 16 , the surgical instrument 1022 furtherincludes a transmission system 1045 configured to transfer adata/communication signal from the microcontroller 1028 to the endeffector 1040. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmission system1045 can further be configured to transfer power from the power source1040 to the end effector 1040. In at least one exemplification, the datatransfer and/or power transfer is achieved through a wired connection.In another exemplification, the data transfer and/or power transfer isachieved through a wireless connection. In certain instances, thetransmission system 1045 includes wireless connection portions and wiredconnection portions. The wireless connection portions facilitate areliable transmission of power and/or data over moving parts of thesurgical instrument 1022 such as, for example, an articulation joint.

In various exemplifications, the transmission system 1045 employs one ormore wireless communication protocols such as, for example, a lowfrequency RFID protocol, a high frequency RFID protocol, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) protocol, an ultra-high frequency RFID protocol, aBluetooth communication protocol, a Qi protocol, or a proprietarycommunication protocol, or any other suitable communication protocol.U.S. Pat. No. 9,171,244, issued Oct. 27, 2015, and titled RFID TAG,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses ashort range wireless communication mechanism.

In at least one example, an NFC protocol may utilize a gross bit rate of426 kbits/s. Other gross bit rates are contemplated by the presentdisclosure. In certain instances, the transmission system 1045 will runat lower bit rates due to excessive noise, for example. In certaininstances, the NFC communication protocol utilizes a half-duplexcommunication.

The transmission system 1045 connects the end effector 1040 to a remoteprocessing unit such as, for example, the processor 1030 and/or a remotepower source such as, for example, the power source 1043. In certainexemplifications, the remote processing unit and/or the power source canbe located at a remote proximal location from the end effector 1040 suchas, for example, in a proximal housing or a handle of the surgicalinstrument 1022. The transmission system 1045 ensures a reliableconnection between the end effector 1040 and the remote processing unitand/or the remote power source.

As discussed above, the end effector 1040 may include a sensor array1036 configured to monitor one or more aspects of the surgicalinstrument 1022 and/or tissue grasped by the end effector 1040. In atleast one exemplification, the sensor array 1036 is incorporated, orpartially incorporated, into a staple cartridge 1046 releasablycouplable to a cartridge channel 1048 of the end effector 1040. At leastone of the cartridge channel 1048 and an anvil 1031 is movable relativeto the other to grasp the tissue between the anvil 1031 and the staplecartridge 1046. The transmission system 1045 can be configured totransfer power to the staple cartridge 1046 for operation of the sensorarray 1036. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmission system 1045may transfer a data/communication signal between the staple cartridge1046 and the microcontroller 1028, for example.

As described in greater detail below, various components of thetransmission system 1045 are arranged, or positioned, in a manner thatfacilitates a wireless transmission of power and/or a data signal withinthe end effector 1040 such as, for example, from a cartridge supportchannel of the end effector 1040 to a staple cartridge 1046 releasablyinsertable into the cartridge support channel. Additionally, oralternatively, the transmission system 1045 can be arranged, orpositioned, in a manner that facilitates a wireless transmission ofpower and/or a data signal from a shaft of the surgical instrument 1022to the end effector 1040 across an articulation joint connecting theshaft and the end effector 1040, for example.

In various instances, the staple cartridge 1046 may house, or at leastpartially house, the sensor array 1036. The power source 1043 can beconfigured to power the sensor array 1036. Power supplied by the powersource 1043 can be wirelessly transferred to the staple cartridge 1046through the transmission system 1045. Furthermore, the microcontroller1028 can be in signal communication with the sensor array 1036.Data/communication signals can be wirelessly transferred between thesurgical instrument 1022 and the staple cartridge 1046 through thetransmission system 1045. Further, various command signals can also betransferred using the transmission system 1045 to the sensor array 1036.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17 , in certain instances, the staplecartridge 1046 includes a local control circuit 1049 in communicationwith the sensor array 1036. The local control circuit 1049 and/or thesensor array 1036 can be powered wirelessly by the power source 1043through the transmission system 1045. FIG. 17 illustrates an exampleimplementation of the local control circuit 1049. In the illustratedexample, the local control circuit 1049 includes a local microcontroller1076 with a local processor 1041 and a local memory circuit 1047. Thelocal memory circuit 1047 may store machine-executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processor 1041, may cause the processor 1041to implement various processes or algorithms in accordance with thepresent disclosure. The processor 1041 may be any one of a number ofsingle-core or multicore processors known in the art. The memory circuit1047 may comprise volatile and non-volatile storage media. The processor1041 may include an instruction processing unit and an arithmetic unit.The instruction processing unit may be configured to receiveinstructions from the memory circuit 1047 of this disclosure. In certaininstances, the control circuit 1049 may comprise analog or digitalcircuits such programmable logic devices (PLD), field programmable gatearrays (FPGA), discrete logic, or other hardware circuits, software,and/or firmware, or other machine executable instructions to perform thefunctions explained in the following description.

In certain instances, the control circuit 1049 comprises a sensorcircuit. Signals (e.g., voltage, current, resistance, impedance,capacitance, inductance, frequency, phase, etc.) from the sensors of thesensor array 1036 can be conditioned by the sensors circuit.

Further to the above, the local microcontroller 1076 can be in wirelesssignal communication with the microcontroller 1028 through thetransmission system 1045. Sensor data of the sensor array 1036 can becollected and prepared for transmission by the local control circuit1049. The local microcontroller 1076 can be configured to compress thesensor data prior to transmission to the control circuit 1026 throughthe transmission system 1045.

Various aspects of one, or more, algorithms described by the presentdisclosure can be executed by the control circuit 1026, the controlcircuit 1049, or both in collaboration. For brevity, the followingdescription will only focus on an execution by the control circuit 1049or an execution by the control circuit 1026, but this should not beconstrued as limiting.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate different implementations 1051, 1052, 1053 of thetransmission system 1045. The reader will understand that otherimplementations are contemplated by the present disclosure. FIG. 8illustrates an example implementation 1053 of the transmission system1045 where data and power are wirelessly transmitted separately usingtwo independent pathways. Alternatively, FIG. 7 illustrates an exampleimplementation 1052 of the transmission system 1045 where data and powerare wirelessly transmitted sequentially using a single pathway.Alternatively, FIG. 6 illustrates an example implementation 1051 of thetransmission system 1045 where data and power are wirelessly transmittedsimultaneously using a single pathway.

Through the transmission system 1045, and as described in theimplementations 1051, 1052, 1053 of FIGS. 6-8 , the staple cartridge1046 can be supplied by power wirelessly from the power source 1043. Thesupplied power is utilized in collection and/or signal processing ofsensor data of the sensor array 1036. In certain instances, the power issupplied by the power source 1043 directly to the sensor array 1036.Alternatively, a local power source such as, for example, the chargeaccumulator 11800 (FIG. 7 ) may supply the power to the sensor array1036. The charge accumulator 11800 may include a storage capacitor whichcan be charged by power supplied by the power source 1043. In variousaspects, discharge rate (D) and/or remaining-charge capacity (C) can bedetected, or monitored, by a charge meter.

Further to the above, the control circuit 1049 can be configured, orprogrammed, to modulate 1008 a sensor parameter of one or more subsetsof sensors of the sensor array 1036 to balance power draw with remainingpower capacity in accordance with one or more equations, tables, and/ordatabases stored, for example, in the memory circuit 1032, or the memorycircuit 1047. As illustrated in FIG. 18 , a sampling rate (S) can beselected from a table 1090 based on detected values of bandwidth (B),discharge rate (D), and/or remaining capacity (R). For example, detectedvalues B1, D1, R1, cause the control circuit 1049, to select a samplingrate (S1). The sampling rate (S) of one or more subsets of sensors ofthe sensor array 1036 can then be adjusted to the sampling rate (S1),for example. Accordingly, collection and/or signal processing of thesensor data of the sensor array 1036 can be automatically adjusted bythe control circuit 1026, or the local control circuit 1049, to balancepower draw with remaining capacity.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 15, and 16 , a control circuit 1026 can beconfigured to determine the priority level of sensor data received froma subset of sensors of the sensor array 1036 based one or more signalsindicative of the priority level. In certain instances, the signal istransmitted to the control circuit 1026 from the surgical hub 1024. Inother instances, the one or more signals are transmitted to the controlcircuit 1026 from one or more sensors. In other instances, the one ormore signals are transmitted to the control circuit 1026 from thefeedback system 1038.

In certain instances, the one or more signals communicate contextualinformation derived from received data concerning a surgical procedure,the surgical instrument 1022, and/or a patient. The contextualinformation could be derived by a situationally aware surgical hub 1024.In one exemplification, the contextual information can be derived by acontrol circuit of the surgical hub 1024. In another exemplification,the contextual information can be derived by a cloud computing system.In yet another exemplification, the contextual information can bederived by a distributed computing system including at least one of theaforementioned cloud computing system and/or a control circuit of thesurgical hub 1024 in combination with a control circuit 1026 of thesurgical instrument 1022, for example. For economy, the followingdescription focuses on contextual information derived by the controlcircuit of a surgical hub 1024; however, it should be understood thatderiving the contextual information can be accomplished by any of theaforementioned exemplifications.

In certain instances, the contextual information is derived from one ormore data sources such as, for example, databases, patient monitoringdevices, and modular devices. In one exemplification, the databases caninclude a patient EMR database associated with the medical facility atwhich the surgical procedure is being performed. The data received fromthe data sources can include perioperative data, which includespreoperative data, intraoperative data, and/or postoperative dataassociated with the given surgical procedure. The data received from thedatabases can include the type of surgical procedure being performed orthe patient's medical history (e.g., medical conditions that may or maynot be the subject of the present surgical procedure). In oneexemplification, the control circuit of the surgical hub 1024 canreceive the patient or surgical procedure data by querying the patientEMR database with a unique identifier associated with the patient. Thesurgical hub can receive the unique identifier from, for example, ascanner for scanning the patient's wristband encoding the uniqueidentifier associated with the patient when the patient enters theoperating theater.

In one exemplification, the patient monitoring devices include BPmonitors, EKG monitors, and other such devices that are configured tomonitor one or more parameters associated with a patient. The patientmonitoring devices can be paired with the surgical hub 2034 such thatthe surgical hub receives data therefrom. In one exemplification, thedata received from the modular devices that are paired with (i.e.,communicably coupled to) the surgical hub 1024 includes, for example,activation data (i.e., whether the device is powered on or in use), dataof the internal state of the modular device (e.g., force to fire orforce to close for a surgical cutting and stapling device, pressuredifferential for an insufflator or smoke evacuator, or energy level foran RF or ultrasonic surgical instrument), or patient data (e.g., tissuetype, tissue thickness, tissue mechanical properties, respiration rate,or airway volume).

In certain instances, the contextual information can include, forexample, the type of procedure being performed, the particular stepbeing performed in the surgical procedure, the patient's state (e.g.,whether the patient is under anesthesia or whether the patient is in theoperating room), or the type of tissue being operated on. In certaininstances, the contextual information is derived from perioperative datathat includes, for example, data regarding a modular device (e.g.,pressure differential, motor current, internal forces, or motor torque)or data regarding the patient with which the modular device is beingutilized (e.g., tissue properties, respiration rate, airway volume, orlaparoscopic image data). Additional details are disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/209,395, titled METHOD OF HUBCOMMUNICATION, and filed Dec. 4, 2018, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2019/0201136, which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

In certain instances, the contextual information is derived from imagingdata received from one or more imaging devices. The imaging data canrepresent individual images or a video stream. The medical imagingdevice can includes an optical component and an image sensor thatgenerates imaging data. The optical component includes a lens or a lightsource, for example. The image sensor includes a charge-coupled device(CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), for example.In various exemplifications, the medical imaging device includes anendoscope, a laparoscope, a thoracoscope, and other such imagingdevices. The image or video data from the medical imaging device (or thedata stream representing the video for a digital medical imaging device)can processed by a pattern recognition system or a machine learningsystem to recognize features (e.g., organs or tissue types) in the fieldof view (FOV) of the medical imaging device 5108, for example. Thecontextual information that can be derived from the recognized featurescan include, for example, what type of surgical procedure (or stepthereof) is being performed, what organ is being operated on, or whatbody cavity is being operated in.

In various aspects, the control circuit 1026 is configured to select apriority level of one or more subsets of sensors of the sensor array1036, in accordance with the algorithm 1010, based on the contextualinformation. Further, the control circuit 1026 may switch one or moresubsets of sensors of the sensor array 1036 between the active mode 1083and the idler mode 1084, in accordance with the algorithm 1080, based onthe contextual information. In at least one example, the control circuit1026 may utilize the contextual information derived from an operatingroom imaging/video feed to identify steps in a surgical procedure and,further, prioritize sensor data collection, transmission, and/orprocessing based on the step being performed. For example, the controlcircuit 1026 may identify a step in an anastomosis surgical proceduresuch as, for example, an initial tissue engaging step, based on thecontextual information. The identification of the initial tissueengaging step, then causes the control circuit 1026 to switch one ormore sensor subsets to the active mode 1083.

Referring still to FIGS. 13 and 16 , the control circuit 1026 can beconfigured to determine a priority level of one or more sensor subsetsof the sensor array 1036 based on one or more signals indicative of asurgical state of the surgical instrument 1022. The signals may includedata relating to an operational parameter of the surgical instrument1022. For example, the signals may include data relating to a functionof a motor (e.g. motor 1042).

Motor data can indicate whether the end effector 1040 is in anarticulation motion, a closure motion, or a firing motion. A controlcircuit (e.g. control circuits 1026, 049) may be configured, orprogrammed, to prioritize one or more sensors of the surgical instrument1022 based on the type of motion undertaken by the end effector 1040.For example, closure and firing typically occur after completion of thearticulation motion, when a user is fully satisfied with thearticulation position of the end effector 1040. Accordingly, the controlcircuit can be configured, or programmed, to assign a lower priority toclosure and/or firing sensor data than articulation sensor data inresponse to detecting an articulation motion, for example. The controlcircuit may adjust sensor parameters associated with a subset of sensorsrelevant to articulation to increase the subset's sampling rate, forexample. Additionally, the control circuit may also adjust sensorparameters associated with a subset of sensors relevant to closureand/or firing to reduce the subset's sampling rate during articulation.

Similar arrangements can be undertaken to prioritize closure sensor dataover firing sensor data during closure of the end effector 1040 and/orprioritize firing sensor data over closure sensor data during firing ofthe end effector 1040. As discussed above, this real-time balancingapproach ensures that power resources and data transmission, and/or dataprocessing resources are not overtaxed.

Referring still to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 , the control circuit 1026 can beconfigured to determine 1081 a priority level of one or more sensorsubsets of the sensor array 1036 based on one or more signals indicativeof a gross movement of the surgical instrument 1022. The surgicalinstrument 1022 may include one or more sensors configured to measure agross movement of the surgical instrument 1022 such as, for example, anaccelerometer. Detecting a gross movement of the surgical instrument1022 can indicate a condition of the end effector 1040. For example, thegross movement can indicate that the end effector 1040 is outside thepatient's body cavity. Accordingly, the control circuit 1026 can beconfigured, or programmed, to deprioritize closure and/or firing sensordata in response to a signal indicative of a gross movement of thesurgical instrument 1022. In at least one example, deprioritizing theclosure and/or firing sensor data comprises switching sensors of thesensor array 1036 associated with closure and/or firing to the idlermode 1084. In at least one example, deprioritizing the closure and/orfiring sensor data comprises adjusting one are more sensor parameter ofsensors of the sensor array 1036 associated with closure and/or firingsuch as, for example, sensor parameter that control sensor datacollection, processing, and/or transmission.

Further to the above, a similar approach can be taken in response tosignals indicative of a loading procedure, signals comprising initiationdata, and/or tool-docking data, signals indicative of a highend-effector velocity, and/or any other signals indicating thatcartridge sensing is unnecessary at a particular stage. The controlcircuit 1026 can be configured, or programmed, to adjust one or moresensor parameter of the sensor array 1036 in response to the detectionof one or more of such conditions to minimize sensor power/dataovertaxing.

Determining 1081 a priority level of one or more sensor subsets, inaccordance with one or more algorithms (e.g. algorithms 1010, 1080), canbe achieved in multiple ways. In one example, the priority level can bea binary priority level, where the control circuit 1026 is configured toselect between, for example, a high-priority level or a low-prioritylevel. In certain instances, the high-priority level is associated withthe active mode 1083, while the low-priority level is associated withthe idler mode 1084. In other examples, the priority level comprises avalue that can be determined based on one or more equations, tables, andor databases stored in the memory circuit 1032, for example. One or moreconditions can contribute to the priority level in accordance withpreset values stored in the form of equations, tables, and or databases.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 13 and 16 , as discussed above, thealgorithm 1000 includes detecting 1002 a data-transmission bandwidth(B), or maximum data-transmission rate through the transmission system1045. The data-transmission bandwidth (B) can be detected 1002 inmultiple ways. For example, data can be transferred through thetransmission system 1045 at rates that are increased gradually, orincrementally, until an error is detected, or the signal strength is nolonger able to permit higher rates of transfer. With each transfer adata receipt confirmation and/or a data integrity confirmation can berequested. If confirmation is received, the transfer rate of thefollowing transfer is increased. If, however, a confirmation is notreceived, it can be concluded that the most recent transfer rate isbeyond the bandwidth capability of the transmission system 1045. In suchinstances, the transfer rate preceding the most recent transfer rate canbe determined to be the data-transmission bandwidth (B) of thetransmission system, for example. In certain instances, an initialtransfer is performed using a default transfer rate. Following transfersare then performed using transfer rates that are increased gradually, orincrementally, in accordance with predetermined values until adata-transmission bandwidth (B) is detected by a lack of a confirmation,for example.

Additionally, or alternatively, the data-transmission bandwidth (B) canbe detected 1002 during an initial acknowledgment or handshake.Acknowledgement and/or handshake signals can be transferred between thecontrol circuit 1026 and the local control circuit 1049 through thetransmission system 1045 as part of an activation, initialization,and/or wake-up sequence of the staple cartridge 1046 and/or the surgicalinstrument 1022, for example.

In certain instances, transmission rates associated with successfultransmissions during one or more prior uses of a surgical instrument1022 are stored, and are then used in detecting 1002 a bandwidth (B) insubsequent uses of the surgical instrument 1022, or other similarsurgical instruments 1022. In one example, the successful transmissionrates can be stored in the memory circuit 1032 for sharing during theinitial acknowledgment or handshake in future uses. The control circuit1026 can be configured, or programmed, to monitor the cartridge reloadsused with the surgical instrument 1022 which are each trying to maximizedata throughput, and can subsequently suggest to future cartridgereloads the maximum transfer rate previous cartridge reloads werecapable of achieving.

In another example, the successful transmission rates can be transmittedto a surgical hub (e.g. surgical hub 1024) and/or a cloud based systemfor data aggregation and analysis. The data-transmission bandwidth (B)can be detected 1002 based on a signal received from the surgical hub orthe cloud based system indicative of the data-transmission bandwidth(B), for example.

FIG. 19 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1100 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for monitoring and addressing signalinterference in power and/or data signals transmission between a staplecartridge 1046 and a surgical instrument 1022. As described elsewhereherein, reloads of the staple cartridge 1046 are releasably coupled tothe surgical instrument 1022 by seating in a cartridge channel 1048 ofthe end effector 1040. Further, a wireless connection can be establishedbetween the staple cartridge 1046 and the surgical instrument 1022 whenthe staple cartridge 1046 is seated in the cartridge channel 1048 towirelessly transmit 1102 power and/or data signals. The power and/ordata signals can be transferred through a wiring harness, extending inthe cartridge channel, and then through wireless power and/or datatransfer circuit(s) of the transmission system 1045. The power and/ordata signals transmission is subject to various internal and externalinterferences.

Various internal and external factors may cause signal interference suchas, for example, signal interference from environmental factorsincluding tissue and/or fluid presence in the end effector 1040, signalinterference from other surgical tools, or even other components of thesurgical instrument 1022. The wireless power and/or data transfercircuit(s) can be at least partially affixed to the metallic cartridgechannel 1048. In certain instances, parasitic losses through themetallic cartridge channel 1048, antenna misalignment in the wirelesspower and/or data transfer circuit(s), and/or secondary magnetic fieldgeneration may also contribute to signal interference.

To manage signal interferences, the algorithm 1100 monitors 1104 aninterference in a transmission of electrical power and/or the datasignals between the surgical instrument 1022 and the staple cartridge1046. The algorithm 1100 further modulates 1106 an operational parameterof the surgical instrument 1022 based on the interference. In at leastone exemplification, modulating 1106 the operational parameter includesadjusting a strength of the data signals, a rate of the datatransmission, and/or a rate of the power transmission based on thedetected interference. In certain instances, modulating 1106 theoperational parameter includes adjusting one or more sensor parametersassociated with data collection, transmission, and/or processing suchas, for example, sensor sampling rate, sampling drive current and/orvoltage, collection rate, sensor data resolution, sensor-datatransmission rate, duration of activation, and/or frequency ofactivation. In at least one example, a sensor or a group of sensors canbe switched to, an inactive mode, an idler mode, or an active mode tomitigate the interference.

Further to the above, monitoring 1104 the interference can beaccomplished by comparing an anticipated data transfer and an actualdata transfer by the transmission system 1045 to account for losses dueto interference. If a difference between the anticipated data transferand the actual data transfer is greater than, or equal to, apredetermined threshold, the transmission system 1045 adjusts one ormore operational parameters of the surgical instrument 1022 such as, forexample, a strength of the data signal to mitigate the interference. Invarious aspects, monitoring 1104 the interference includes monitoringsignal stability, number of lost data packets, and/or ratio ofdistinguishable signal to random noise. If signal stability, number oflost data packets, and/or ratio of distinguishable signal to randomnoise is greater than, or equal to, a predetermined threshold, thetransmission system 1045 adjusts one or more operational parameters ofthe surgical instrument 1022, as previously discussed.

Furthermore, monitoring 1104 the interference may comprise determiningan interference level based one or more factors that contribute to theinference level. The factors may include, for example, ratio ofanticipated data transfer to actual data transfer, signal stability,number of lost data packets, and/or ratio of distinguishable signal torandom noise. The contributions of the individual factors to theinterference level can be ascertained from an interference equation,interference table, and/or interference database, which can be stored ina memory circuit (e.g. memory circuits 1032, 1047). The control circuit1026, for example, can be configured, or programed, to calculate aninterference level based on the individual contributions of theindividual factors. The control circuit 1026 may further compare thedetermined interference level to a predetermined threshold. If thedetermined interference level is greater than, or equal to, thepredetermined threshold, the processor may modulate 1016, as previouslydiscussed, one or more operational parameters of the surgical instrument1022 until the monitored interference level decreases to a value belowthe predetermined threshold, for example.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 6-8 and 17 , a staple cartridge 1046 can beconfigured to detect which of the implementations 1051, 1052, 1053 ofthe transmission system 1045 is available for wireless signaltransmission between the staple cartridge 1046 and the surgicalinstrument 1022. The staple cartridge 1046 may further select variousprotocols and/or algorithms associated with an available implementation.In one example, a control circuit 1049 can detect the availableimplementation of the transmission system 1045 by detecting the presenceof one or two local antenna arrays. If two antenna arrays are detected,as embodied by the implementation 1053 of FIG. 8 , the control circuit1049 may adjust one or more operational parameters of the surgicalinstrument 1022 and/or select one or more algorithms and/orcommunication protocols associated with separate power and datatransfers. Alternatively, if only a single antenna array is detected, asembodied by the implementations 1051, 1052 of FIGS. 6, 7 , the controlcircuit 1049 may adjust one or more operational parameters of thesurgical instrument 1022 and/or select one or more algorithms and/orcommunication protocols associated with simultaneous/sequential powerand data transfers.

In various aspects, antenna array detections are performed during awakeup or activation sequence, or a handshaking protocol, implemented,or at least partially implemented, by the control circuit 1049. In atleast one example, antenna array detections are performed by the controlcircuit 1049 using predefined test signals. In certain instances,control circuit 1049 detects and monitors short range and/or long rangedata transfer activity to determine connection characteristics and/orinstructional hierarchy. In certain instances, the control circuit 1049performs selective pairing based on sensor array capabilities.

FIG. 20 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1110 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for optimizing power transmission froma surgical instrument 1022 to a staple cartridge 1046. As discussedabove, a transmission system 1045 can electrically couple the surgicalinstrument 1022 and the staple cartridge 1046 wirelessly while thestaple cartridge 1046 is seated in a jaw of the end effector 1040. In atleast one exemplification, one or more aspects of the algorithm 1110 areperformed by a power management circuit which can be implemented, atleast in part, by the control circuit 1026, the control circuit 1049,and/or a separate power management circuit. In the illustrated example,the algorithm 1110 includes wirelessly transmitting 1112 power from thesurgical instrument 1022 to the staple cartridge 1046, monitoring 1114an efficiency of a transfer of the power from the surgical instrument1022 to the staple cartridge 1046, and adjusting 1116 an operationalparameter of the surgical instrument 1022 based on the efficiency of thetransfer.

In various aspects, monitoring 1114 the efficiency of the power transferincludes comparing an anticipated power transfer to an actual powertransfer. In certain instances, monitoring 1114 the efficiency of thepower transfer includes comparing a transfer parameter such as, forexample, a rate of transfer to a predetermined threshold. Furtherefficiency of the power transfer can be affected a number ofenvironmental factors including parasitic losses, interference, antennamisalignment, and/or secondary magnetic field generation. In certaininstances, monitoring 1114 the efficiency of the power transfer includesmonitoring one or more of such environmental factors.

Referring still to FIG. 20 , the adjusted 1116 operational parameter ofthe surgical instrument may be a transfer parameter of the transmissionsystem 1045. In certain instances, adjusting 1116 the operationalparameter of the surgical instrument 1022 includes adjusting one or moreaspects of a waveform of the power transfer, adjusting a rate of thepower transfer, and/or adjusting a frequency of the power transfer.Additionally, or alternatively, adjusting 1116 the operational parameterof the surgical instrument 1022 may include an adaptive voltage scaling.Additionally, or alternatively, adjusting 1116 the operational parameterof the surgical instrument 1022 may include a real-time tuning of atleast one component of the transmission system 1045, as described ingreater detail below.

One or more transfer parameters associated with previous power transfersbetween the surgical instrument 1022 and one or more staple cartridges1046 are stored by, for example, the memory circuit 1032. Additionally,or alternatively, transfer parameters associated with previous powertransfers can be uploaded to a local server and/or a cloud based systemfor data aggregation and analysis, for example. In certain instances,the power management circuit of the surgical instrument 1022 maydetermine transfer parameters of future power transfers based, at leastin part, on the stored transfer parameters associated with previouspower transfers. In at least one exemplification, the power managementcircuit may determine transfer parameters for a future power transfer,then compare the determined transfer parameters to the stored transferparameters, prior to implementation of the determined transferparameters, to ensure that the determined transfer parameter is withinacceptable thresholds based on the stored transfer parameters.

In certain instances, adjusting 1116 the operational parameter of thesurgical instrument 1022 includes adjusting the power drive frequency ofthe transmission system 1045 based on current operating conditions.Since there are restricting regulations around the use of EMfrequencies, which may vary between different regions, the powermanagement circuit may implement one or more algorithms that select anoptimal power drive frequency that also complies with such regulations.Said another way, in selecting the optimal power drive frequency, thepower management circuit may be limited to regionally-availableunlicensed frequency bands.

Further to the above, selecting the optimal power drive frequency mayalso depend on which implementation of the transmission system 1045 isavailable. For example, in the implementation 1053 of FIG. 8 , whichdenotes separate data and power transmission, power transfer is notlimited by data-transfer frequency standards. In such instances, theoptimal power drive frequency is selected from values different thandata-transfer frequency. However, the implementations 1051, 1052 ofFIGS. 6 and 7 , which denote simultaneous or sequential power and datatransfer, are limited by data-transfer frequency standards. Accordingly,the power management circuit may implement one or more algorithms thatselect the optimal power drive frequency, at least in part, based onavailable implementations of the transmission system 1045. As discussedabove, detecting the available implementation of the transmission system1045 can be performed by detecting the presence of one or two localantenna arrays. Alternatively, the power management circuit may detectthe available implementation of the transmission system 1045 by varioustesting signals.

In certain instances, adjusting 1116 the operational parameter of thesurgical instrument 1022 includes circuit tuning for resonance,frequency matching, and/or impedance matching. FIG. 21 illustrates anexample implementation 1120 of a first antenna circuit 1121 and a secondantenna circuit 1122 of the transmission system of 1045 for powertransfer between the surgical instrument 1022 and the staple cartridge1046. Other implementations are contemplated by the present disclosure.In the illustrated example, the first antenna circuit 1121 is connectedto an input voltage Vin. The input voltage Vin can be the power source1043, which can be positioned proximally from the end effector 1040 in ahousing, or handle, of the surgical instrument 1022, for example. Thesecond antenna circuit 1122 is connected to a load resistor R_(L), whichrepresents the sensor array 1036, the control circuit 1049, and/or otherpower consuming components of the staple cartridge 1046.

In the illustrated example, the antenna circuits 1121, 1122 cooperate towirelessly transmit power supplied by the power supply 1043 to thestaple cartridge 1046. The first antenna circuit 1021 further includes avoltage driver resistor R_(in), a primary inductor L₁, and a primarycoil resistor R₁. The second antenna circuit 1122 further includes asecondary inductor L₂ and a secondary coil resistor R₂. Power istransferred from a first antenna implemented by the primary inductor L₁,and the primary coil resistor R₁ to a second antenna implemented by thesecondary inductor L₂, and the secondary coil resistor R₂. The inputvoltage Vin drives a current through the primary coil, which induces avoltage in the secondary coil, and hence a current across the loadresistor R_(L). As current flows in the secondary coil, the currentinduces a voltage in the primary coil, depending on a couplingcoefficient (k).

Referring still to FIG. 21 , the first antenna circuit 1121 furtherincludes a first resonant capacitor C₁ in parallel with the primarycoil. In addition, the second antenna circuit 1122 includes a secondresonant capacitor C₂ in series with the secondary coil. In variousinstances, the power management circuit utilizes the first resonantcapacitor C₁ and the second resonant capacitor C₂ in tuning forresonance, frequency matching, and/or impedance matching. Resonance is away to compensate for a lower coupling coefficient (k) by increasing thepower in the magnetic field around the primary coil. If the couplingcoefficient is unchanged then the resultant power across the secondarycoil is increased. Accordingly, resonance minimizes the reactive powerin the primary coil, and maximizes the power across the load resistorR_(L).

To optimize power transfer through the transmission system 1045, thepower management circuit is configured to perform a real-timeelectro/mechanical algorithm driven adjustment and tuning of variouscomponents of the transmission system 1045 such as, for example,transmission capacitors, inductors, and resistors to optimize powertransfer. In certain instances, the power management circuit employsvarious adjustment/tuning mechanisms such as, for example,potentiometers, banks of resistors, capacitors, and/or inductors.Further, the power management circuit may employ variable capacitorsand/or variable inductors. In certain instances, optimizing powertransfer through the transmission system 1045 comprises impedancematching. In certain instances, optimizing power transfer through thetransmission system 1045 comprises maximizing a coupling coefficient k.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate an adjustable series RLC (resistor, inductor,capacitor) circuit 1130 and an adjustable parallel RLC circuit 1135,respectively, which can be employed by the power management circuit intuning the primary, or drive, coil of the transmission system 1045 tooptimize wireless power transfer therethrough. The adjustable series RLCcircuit 1130 and the adjustable parallel RLC circuit 1135 includeadjustable components (e.g. resistor R, inductor L, capacitor C) thatcan be modulated to tune the primary, or drive, coil to a frequencyequal to, or at least substantially equal to, that of the secondary, orreceiving, coil of the transmission system 1045. In certain instances,the power management circuit is configured to employ the adjustableseries RLC circuit 1130 or the adjustable parallel RLC circuit 1135 toadjust a drive frequency of the primary, or drive, coil to a resonant,or most efficient, frequency of the secondary, or receiver, coil, or atleast within the resonant band. The real-time frequency matching of thetransmission system 1045 optimizes power transfer by eliminatingmanufacturing variability such as, for example, part, installation,and/or use variability.

In various aspects, an adjustable series RLC circuit 1130 or anadjustable parallel RLC circuit 1135 can also be employed to tune thesecondary, or receiver, coil of the transmission system 1045 in asimilar manner to the primary, or drive, coil. Accordingly, the powermanagement circuit can be configured to achieve frequency matching bytuning both of the primary, or drive, coil and the secondary, orreceiver, coil to a desirable frequency. In various aspects, one or moreRLC circuits can be employed by the power management circuit as aband-pass filter, band-stop filter, low-pass filter, or high-passfilter.

FIG. 24 is a graph 1246 illustrating a resonant state of the adjustableseries RLC circuit 1130. The graph 1136 depicts frequency on the X-axisand Impedance on the Y-axis. At resonance, in a series RLC circuit, theinductor reactance X_(L) and the capacitor reactance X_(C) are equal andcanceling. So in resonant series RLC circuit, the opposition to the flowof current is due to resistance R only. In addition, the inductorvoltage V_(L) and capacitor voltage V_(C) are also opposite and equal invalue, thereby canceling each other out. At resonance, the series RLCcircuit acts purely as resistive circuit which maximizes current passingthere through.

Various implementations (e.g. 1051, 1052, 1053) of the transmissionsystem 1045, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 , include a rectifier 11620that is configured to rectify the AC signal to a DC output. In certaininstances, the rectifier 11620 is a full bridge rectifier. The need torectify the AC signal to a DC output may reduce the efficiency of thepower transfer through the transmission system 1045 and/or detune itsresonance. In certain instances, monitoring 1114 the efficiency of powertransfer includes monitoring changes caused by AC to DC regulationand/or rectification based on power levels and efficiencies of theconversion. Various controlled aspects of the transmission system 1045can be regulated based on power conversion efficiencies.

In certain instances, adjusting 1116 the operational parameter of thesurgical instrument 1022 includes adaptive voltage scaling based on thepower draw of the staple cartridge 1046 and the power reservoir and/orpower transfer capabilities of the power source 1043 (FIG. 16 ) and/orthe charge accumulator 11800 (FIG. 7 ), for example. The powermanagement circuit may implement algorithms for conserving power byselectively determining which systems are permitted to draw power andthe voltage levels at which the power can be drawn.

In one example, the power management circuit may implement an algorithmthat causes two subsets of sensors of the sensor array 1036 to drawpower at different voltage levels depending, for example, on a prioritylevel of the sensor data from the two subsets. The power managementcircuit may cause a first sensor subset to operate in an idler mode oran inactive mode, and may cause a second sensor subset, different fromthe first sensor subset, to operate in an active mode. The powermanagement circuit may implement the active mode, idler mode, and/orinactive mode by changing power-draw permissions of the sensor subsetsand/or by adjusting the voltage levels at which the sensor subsets maydraw the power.

In addition to optimizing power transfer, a power management circuit ofthe surgical instrument 1022 may also implement one, or more, algorithmsfor power conservation and/or optimizing power consumption by the staplecartridge 1046. FIG. 25 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1140depicting a control program or a logic configuration for powerconservation or optimizing power consumption by a staple cartridge 1046,in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Thealgorithm 1140 includes monitoring 1142 a level of power available forpower consumption by the staple cartridge 1046. The algorithm 1140 mayfurther include determining 1144 a power requirement for signalprocessing of raw data such as, for example, sensor data of the sensorarray 1036.

Further to the above, the algorithm 1140 may include selecting 1146between local processing and remote processing of the raw data based onthe available power level and/or the power requirement for locallyprocessing the raw data. In certain instances, the selection 1146 isbetween performing a signal processing of the raw data locally withinthe staple cartridge 1046, using for example the control circuit 1049,or remotely outside the staple cartridge 1046, using, for example, thecontrol circuit 1026.

Further to the above, monitoring 1142 the power level can beaccomplished by measuring the power level using, for example, a chargemeter and comparing the measured power level to a predeterminedthreshold. Additionally, or alternatively, monitoring 1142 the powerlevel can be achieved by monitoring power consumption. The present powerlevel can then be calculated by subtracting the value of the powerconsumed from the total power available for consumption.

Further to the above, the power requirement for signal processing of aparticular set of raw data can be determined 1146 from an equation,table, and/or database stored in the memory circuit 1047, for example.In certain instances, the power requirement can be a function of thesize of the raw data set and/or the nature or type of the signalprocessing. Various details of local signal processing are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 9,993,248, titled SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNALPROCESSING, and issued Jun. 12, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

In various instances, in situations of low power levels, the localprocessing unit, e.g. control circuit 1147, may perform selective dataprocessing, instead of a wholesale transfer of the data processing to aremote processing unit, e.g. control circuit 1026. The selective dataprocessing can be based on previously assigned priorities of differentdata processing tasks and/or data types. In one example, to mitigate lowpower levels, the control circuit 1147 may elect to maintain apreviously defined sampling rate for collection of sensor data from thesensor array 1036, while forgoing, or pausing, data encryption. Inanother example, to mitigate low power levels, the control circuit 1147may elect to maintain a first sampling rate by a first subset of sensorsof the sensor array 1036, while adjusting a second sampling rate by asecond subset of sensors of the sensor array 1036.

In various aspects, the staple cartridge 1046 includes a local chargeaccumulator (e.g. charge accumulator 1075 of FIG. A5 ) configured tolocally store power supplied thereto by a remote power source (e.g.power source 1043 of FIG. 16 ), through the transmission system 1045.The local charge accumulator 11800 may be configured to supply power tothe control circuit 1049, the sensor array 1036, and/or other powerconsuming components of the staple cartridge 1046. In certain instances,monitoring 1142 the power level, in accordance with the algorithm 1140,includes monitoring a charge status, a discharge rate, and/or a chargerate of the local charge accumulator. In at least one example, themonitoring 1142 is accomplished by comparing determined values of thecharge status, discharge rate, and/or charge rate to predeterminedcharge status, discharge rate, and/or charge rate thresholds,respectively.

Further to the above, the power management circuit may adjust one ormore operational parameters of the staple cartridge 1046 based on one ormore of the comparisons to mitigate power consumption. For example, if adetermined value of the charge status is less than or equal to thepredetermined charge status threshold, if a determined value of thedischarge rate is greater than or equal to the predetermined dischargerate threshold, and/or if a determined value of the charge rate is lessthan or equal to the predetermined charge rate threshold, the powermanagement circuit may adjust one or more operational parameters of thestaple cartridge 1046. The adjustments may comprise a series ofprogressively increasing adjustments configured to mitigate powerconsumption.

Further to the above, adjusting the operational parameters of the staplecartridge 1046 may include adapting, or adjusting, one or more sensorparameters associated with data collection, transmission, and/orprocessing such as, for example, sensor sampling rate, sampling drivecurrent and/or voltage, collection rate, sensor data resolution,sensor-data transmission rate, duration of activation, and/or frequencyof activation. In certain instances, adjusting the operationalparameters of the staple cartridge 1046 can be further based onsituational awareness data derived by a surgical hub 1024 (FIG. 16 ),for example.

FIG. 26 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1150 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for optimizing a wireless transmissionof power and/or data signal across a transmission system 1045, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In theillustrated example, the algorithm 1150 includes detecting 1151 alocation of the surgical instrument 1022, and selecting 1152 a frequencyband based on the location of the surgical instrument 1022. Further, thealgorithm 1150 may include selecting 1153 a drive frequency of theprimary, or drive, coil of the transmission system 1045 from thefrequency band. In addition, the algorithm 1150 may include selecting1154 a receiving frequency of the secondary, or receiver, coil of thetransmission system 1045 from the frequency band.

In various aspects, one or more aspects of the algorithm 1150 can beimplemented by a control circuit such as, for example, the controlcircuit 1026, the control circuit 1049, or a local processing unit ofthe transmission system 1045. In certain instances, detecting 1151 thelocation of the surgical instrument 1022 comprises detecting a parameterindicative of the location such as, for example, longitude and latitudereadings. The readings can be utilized by the control circuit 1049 toidentify a location of the surgical instrument 1022. In other instances,the location of the surgical instrument 1022 can be entered by a userthrough the feedback system 1038, for example. Further, selecting 1153the drive frequency and/or selecting 1154 the receiving frequency fromthe frequency band can be based on one or more operational parameters ofthe surgical instrument 1022.

Frequency band selection can depend on local regulations. In variousaspects, a memory circuit 1032, or memory circuit 1047, may store atable or database listing various locations and corresponding availablefrequency bands. A control circuit executing the algorithm 1150 can beconfigured to utilize the table or database to select 1152 a suitablefrequency band based on available frequency bands at a detected 1151location, for example.

Referring to FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D various components of an adaptivecontrol system 1155 of the surgical instrument 1022 can be located in acavity 1156 within a proximal portion of an end effector 10400, which issimilar in many respects to the end effector 1040. The adaptive controlsystem 1155 is configured to manage various aspects of wireless powerand/or data signal transfer between the staple cartridge 1046 and thesurgical instrument 1022. In the illustrated example, the adaptivecontrol system 1155 includes a tuning electronics package 1157 foroptimizing wireless power and/or data signal transfer through thetransmission system 1045. The tuning electronics package 1157 ispositioned in the cavity 1156 in close proximity to the antenna array(s)of the transmission system 1045 to enable locally tunable wireless powerand/or data signal transfer including adjustments of frequency usage,power transfer rate, and/or data transfer rate, for example.

Further to the above, the adaptive control system 1155 may include adedicated power management circuit and a dedicated data-signalmanagement circuit or, alternatively, a common power and data signalmanagement circuit. Various algorithms described elsewhere in thepresent disclosures can be implemented by the circuits of the adaptivecontrol system 1155 to optimize various aspects of wireless power and/ordata-signal transfer between the staple cartridge 1046 and the surgicalinstrument 1022. The adaptive control system 1155 may include varioustuning circuits, or tuning circuit components, as described in greaterdetail in connection with FIGS. 21-23 , such as an adjustable series RLCcircuit 1130 and/or an adjustable parallel RLC circuit 1135, forexample. In one exemplification, the adaptive control system 1155implements tuning by multiple sequential adjustments of transferparameters associated with wireless transfer of power then data, or datathen power.

In one implementation, the adaptive control system 1155 includes acapacitor, an inductor, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a voltageregulator, and/or a local processing unit such as, for example, anintegrated circuit (IC) chip, which can be configured to adjust/filter adrive frequency of the antenna array(s) of transmission system 1045and/or adjust at least one of a capacitance and an impedance to optimizewireless power and/or data-signal transfer between the staple cartridge1046 and the surgical instrument 1022. In certain instances, theadaptive control system 1155 optimizes the wireless power and/ordata-signal transfer by adjusting one or more parameters of the surgicalinstrument 1022 such as wireless power and/or data-signal transferparameters, for example, to minimize signal reflection.

To minimize latency and improve speed of dynamic balance, theelectronics package 1157 of the adaptive control system 1155 and anantenna array of the transmission system 1045 (e.g. antenna array10530″, 10535″) configured to be tuned by the adaptive control system1155 are placed in closed proximity to one another. In certaininstances, as illustrated in FIG. 8C, the electronics package 1157 ofthe adaptive control system 1155 and the antenna array 10530″, 10535″ ofthe transmission system 1045 are spaced apart a predefined distance (D).

FIG. 8C depicts an implementation 1053 of the transmission system 1045with separate power and data signal transfer. However, otherimplementations (e.g. implementations 1051, 1052 of FIGS. 6 and 7 ) ofthe transmission system 1045 may include similar arrangements where theseparation between the electronics package 1157 of the adaptive controlsystem 1155 and an antenna array is limited to the predefined distance(D). For brevity, the following discussion of the predefined distance(D) will focus on the example implementation 1053 illustrated in FIG.8C, which includes the antenna array 10530″, 10535″.

As described above, the electronics package 1157 is stored in a cavity1156 at a proximal portion of an end effector 10400 which is similar inmany respects to the end effector 1040. Further, the antenna array10530″, 10535″ is mounted on a sidewall of a jaw 10410. In theillustrated example, the electronics package 1157 resides in the cavity1156 at a proximal portion of the jaw 10410, but distal to anarticulation joint 10500. The placement of the electronics package 1157within the cavity 1156 permits the electronics package 1157 to be apredefined distance (D) away from the antenna array 10530″, 10535″, asillustrated in FIG. 8C.

In various aspects, the predefined distance (D) is selected from a rangeof about 0.1″ to about 1.0″, a range of about 0.2″ to about 0.8″, arange of about 0.3″ to about 0.7″, a range of about 0.4″ to about 0.6″,or a range of about 0.45″ to about 0.55″, for example. In at least oneexample, the predefined distance (D) is 0.50″, 0.51″, 0.52″, 0.49″, or0.48″. Other values for the predefined distance (D) are alsocontemplated by the present disclosure.

In various aspects, the cavity 1156 is located under a distal channelretainer 1158 that provides a location where the end effector 10400 canbe operatively coupled (mounted) to the articulable joint 10500. In theillustrated example, the cavity 1156 is located below a pin 1159configured to attach the distal channel retainer 1158 to the jaw 10400.In certain instances, a firing bar 10640, which is operatively coupledto a motor (e.g. motor 1042), extends over the cavity 1156. The firingbar 10640 is driven distally by the motor 1042 to push the tissuecutting knife 10630 through a staple cartridge 11000″, which is similarin many respects to the staple cartridge 1046, during a staple firingstroke.

Further to the above, the pin 1159 may be fixed to sidewalls of the jaw10410 to prevent rotation of the distal channel retainer 1158 relativeto the jaw 10410. The placement of the pin 1159 leaves a sufficientspace between the pin 1159 and a base 1174 of the jaw 10410 toaccommodate the electronics package 1157 within sufficient proximityfrom the sensor array 10530″, 10535″ to minimize latency and/or improvespeed of dynamic balance performed by the adaptive control system 1155.

In the illustrated example, the electronics package 1157 is connected tothe antenna array 10530″, 10535″ by a flex circuit 1175. In otherexamples, the electronics package 1157 is integrated onto the flexcircuit 1175 with no hard circuit board. In such instances, the flexcircuit 1175 may bridge the articulation joint 10500. One or moreretention features can be incorporated into the articulation joint tominimize the interaction between the flex circuit 1175 and movingcomponents within the articulation joint 10500. In certain instances,portions of the flex circuit 1175 can be coupled to biasing members thatensure that the flex circuit 1175 is retained away from pinch and/orcatch points, for example.

FIG. 27 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1160 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for calibrating a sensor array 1036 ofa surgical instrument 1022, in accordance with at least one aspect ofthe present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the algorithm 1160includes performing 1161 an initial calibration of the sensor array1036, and determining 1162 an initial adjustment to the measurementsbased on the initial calibration. Additionally, the algorithm 1160 mayinclude performing 1163 an in-use calibration of the sensor array 1036,and modifying 1164 the initial adjustment based on the in-usecalibration. The modification 1164 of the initial adjustment may yield afinal adjustment, for example.

In the illustrated example, the algorithm 1160 is implemented, or atleast partially implemented, by the control circuit 1049. In otherexamples, various aspects of the algorithm 1160 can be implemented byother control circuits such as, for example, the control circuit 1026,or any other suitable control circuit. Further, in the illustratedexample, the algorithm 1160 is executed in a calibration of the sensorarray 1036. In other examples, the algorithm 1160 can be equallyexecuted in a calibration of other sensors, or sensor arrays, of thesurgical instrument 1022.

As discussed elsewhere in the present disclosure in greater detail,sensors of the sensor array 1036 are configured to determine a parameterassociated with a function of the surgical instrument 1022. The initialadjustment and/or final adjustment normalize readings of the sensorsthat are utilized to determine the parameter. In one form, the parameteris a tissue parameter such as, for example, a tissue thickness. Inanother form, the parameter is an operational parameter of the endeffector 1040 such as, for example, a parameter of a closure state ofthe end effector 1040.

In one form, the algorithm 1160 can be limited to performing 1161 theinitial calibration, and determining 1162 the initial adjustment. Inanother form, the algorithm 1160 can be limited to performing 1163 anin-use calibration, and determining an adjustment based on the in-usecalibration without the initial calibration.

Further to the above, the initial calibration may include a calibrationperformed at a manufacturing facility, or a testing facility, outside anoperating room and/or before shipping to an end user. On the other hand,the in-use calibration may include a calibration performed by anend-user, after unpacking, such as, for example, in an operating room orhospital. The in-use calibration of a sensor array 1036 of a staplecartridge 1046 can be triggered by a wake-up or an initializationsignal, for example, from the surgical instrument 1022, for example. Thewake-up or an initialization signal can be delivered through thetransmission system 1045, for example. In certain instances, performing1161 the initial calibration and/or performing 1163 the in-usecalibration can be triggered by a user input through the feedback system1038.

In various aspects, the algorithm 1160 includes performing 1161 theinitial calibration and/or performing 1163 the in-use calibrationagainst a cartridge retainer disposed against the sensor array 1036.Cartridge retainers are typically used to maintain staples of a staplecartridge in place during shipping and/or seating of the staplecartridge in a jaw of the surgical instrument 1022, for example. Incertain instances, the cartridge retainer can be modified to includecalibration features with known resistive, capacitive, and/or inductiveproperties. An initial calibration of the sensor array 1036 can beperformed 1161 by causing one or more sensors of the sensor array 1036to take measurements of the calibration features corresponding to theirknown resistive, capacitive, and/or inductive properties. Themeasurements can then be compared to stored values of the knownresistive, capacitive, and/or inductive properties. An initialadjustment to the sensor array 1162 measurements can be determined 1162based on the measurements and the stored values. The initial calibrationmay include a normalizing process using reference values to correct forcapacitive bleed, variation in wiring length, and read distance acrosssensors, for example. In addition, the initial calibration may include asequence of comparisons against known design variation to identifycorrection values.

Similarly, an in-use calibration of the sensor array 1036 can beperformed 1163 using a cartridge retainer, in an operating room forexample, by causing one or more sensors of the sensor array 1036 to takemeasurements of the calibration features of the cartridge retainercorresponding to their known resistive, capacitive, and/or inductiveproperties. The in-use calibration can be performed automatically as apart of an activation, initialization, and/or wake-up sequence. In oneexample, the measurements can be compared to stored values of the knownresistive, capacitive, and/or inductive properties, and a finaladjustment to the sensor array 1162 measurements can be determined 1162based on the measurements and the stored values. In another example, themeasurements of the in-use calibration are compared to the measurementsof the initial calibration to detect any changes due to thesterilization, packing, transit, shelf-life, and/or un-boxing that mayhave further affected the sensor array 1036.

In certain instances, a conductive medium such as, for example, anelectric grease is placed between the staple cartridge and the cartridgeretainer to ensure a proper electrical connection between the measuredfeatures of the cartridge retainer and corresponding sensors of thesensor array 1036. The conductive medium eliminates, or at leastreduces, environmental, or contact, based variations in measurementstaken by the sensors of the sensor array 1036 of the features of thecartridge retainer. In other instances, another calibration member canbe employed instead of the cartridge retainer to perform 1161 theinitial calibration and/or perform 1163 the in-use calibration. Themeasured features can be disposed onto, or under, a flat, orsubstantially flat, surface of the calibration member, which can beplaced against the sensors of the sensor array 1036 to perform acalibration thereof.

In various aspects, the algorithm 1160 may include performing 1161 theinitial calibration and/or in-use calibration in a predetermined mediumsuch as air, saline, or any other suitable with known properties thatcan be measured by the sensors of the sensor array 1036. An initialcalibration of the sensor array 1036 can be performed 1161 by causingone or more sensors of the sensor array 1036 to take measurements of oneor more of the medium's known properties while the sensors are immersedin the medium. The measurements can then be compared to predeterminedvalues of the known properties. An initial adjustment to the sensorarray 1162 measurements can be determined 1162 based on the measurementsand the predetermined values.

Similarly, an in-use calibration of the sensor array 1036 can beperformed 1163 by causing one or more sensors of the sensor array 1036to take measurements corresponding to one or more of the medium's knownproperties while the sensors are immersed in the medium. As discussedabove, the in-use calibration can be performed automatically as a partof an activation, initialization, and/or wake-up sequence. In oneexample, the measurements can be compared to stored values of the knownproperties, and a final adjustment to the sensor array 1162 measurementscan be determined 1162 based on the measurements and the stored values.In another example, the measurements of the in-use calibration arecompared to the measurements of the initial calibration to detect anychanges due to the sterilization, packing, transit, shelf-life, and/orun-boxing that may have further affected the sensor array 1036.

In certain instances, the control circuit 1026 may give instructions toimmerse the end effector 1040 in an operating room medium such as, forexample, saline prior to taking sensor measurements in accordance withthe in-use calibration. The instructions can be given through thefeedback system 1038, for example. The control circuit 1026 may requesta confirmation of the immersion. The instructions can be issued duringan activation, initialization, and/or wake-up sequence of the staplecartridge 1046, after a seating of the staple cartridge in a jaw of theend effector 1040, for example. Upon receipt of the confirmation, thein-use calibration can then be performed as previously described.

Further to the above, the algorithm 1160 may store a determined 1162value of the initial adjustment in a memory circuit 1047 of the staplecartridge 1046. During a wake-up or an initialization sequence of thestaple cartridge 1046, the stored value of the initial adjustment can becommunicated to the main control circuit 1026 of the surgical instrument1022, for example, using the transmission system 1045, for example. Theprocessor 1030 may employ the initial adjustment in converting readingsof the sensors of the sensor array 1036 to values of a correspondingtissue parameter, for example. Alternatively, the processor 1041 mayperform the conversion locally in the staple cartridge 1046. Convertedvalues can then be communicated to the control circuit 1026 using thetransmission system 1045.

Further to the above, performing 1163 the in-use calibration may includedetermining one or more conversion factors representing variations dueto various influences such as sterilization, shipping time, shelf life,previous use time, elevation, environmental impacts such as humidityand/or temperature, physical damage, sensor degradation, and/or drift,for example. Each of these influences may contribute to a deviation thatcan be remedied by a modification 1064 to the initial adjustment. Incertain instances, the algorithm 1160 calculates a final adjustmentbased on the initial adjustment and one, or more, additional conversionfactors corresponding to sterilization, shipping time, shelf life,previous use time, elevation, environmental impacts such as humidityand/or temperature, physical damage, sensor degradation, and/or drift,for example.

In certain instances, the conversion factors can be determined fromequations, tables, and/or databases stored in the memory circuit 1047.Information about these influences can be provided by a user inputthrough the feedback system 1038, for example. Additionally, oralternatively, the information can be ascertained locally using internalclocks, timers/counters (e.g. timer/counter 2781), various sensors,and/or various forms of signal processing. Additionally, oralternatively, the information can be determined based on one or moresignals received by the surgical instrument 1022 from a local server, asurgical hub (e.g. surgical hub 1024), and/or a cloud based system, forexample.

In one example, the shipping time can be determined based on amanufacturing date, which can be stored in the memory circuit 1047 orentered by a user, and an activation date. In another example, elevationcan be determined based on a geographical location of the surgicalinstrument 1022. In other examples, environmental parameters such ashumidity and/or temperature parameters can be entered by a user or canbe ascertained from environmental sensors on the staple cartridge 1046,outer packaging, and/or the surgical instrument 1022. In other examples,physical damage and/or sensor degradation can be determined by detectinga lack of a sensor signal after activation and/or by detecting a lack ofa response signal following a transmission of an interrogation signal tothe sensors of the sensor array 1036.

In any event, the control circuit 1026 may utilize the informationreceived regarding the one or more influences to develop individualconversion factors for the influences based on one or more equations,tables, and/or databases stored in the memory circuit 1032, for example.The control circuit 1026 may then determine a final adjustment based onthe initial adjustment and one, or more, conversion factors of theindividual influences.

FIG. 28 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1165 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for modulating a control parameter ofthe surgical instrument 1022, in accordance with at least one aspect ofthe present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the algorithm 1165includes measuring 1166 a physical parameter of a staple cartridge 1046seated in a jaw of the end effector 1040, for example. The algorithm 116further includes adjusting 1167 a control parameter of the surgicalinstrument 1022 based on the measured physical parameter of the staplecartridge 1046.

In the illustrated example, the algorithm 1160 is implemented, or atleast partially implemented, by the control circuit 1026. In otherexamples, various aspects of the algorithm 1160 can be implemented byother control circuits such as, for example, the control circuit 1049,or any other suitable control circuit. For brevity the followingdescription will focus on executing various aspects of the algorithm1160 by the control circuit 1026.

In various aspects, the physical parameter is a tissue gap. In certainexemplifications, the tissue gap is a minimum gap (G) between the anvil1031 and the staple cartridge 1046 determined at a closed configurationof the end effector 1040, as illustrated in FIG. 29 . In the illustratedexample, the minimum gap (G) is defined by a stop member 1039 configuredto interfere with closure of the end effector 1040. The stop member 1039protrudes from the staple cartridge 1046, and is contacted by the anvil1031 at the closed configuration. In certain instances, the stop member1039 is positioned at proximal location of the end effector 1040 suchas, for example, behind tissue stops. In other instances, the stopmember 1039 can be positioned at a distal end portion of the staplecartridge 1046 or the anvil 1031, for example.

FIG. 30 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1170 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration similar in many respects to thealgorithm 1165. Like the algorithm 1165, various aspects of thealgorithm 1170 can be implemented, or at least partially implemented, bythe control circuit 1026, the control circuit 1049, and/or any othersuitable control circuit. The algorithm 1165 exemplifies a specificexecution of the measuring 1166 of the physical parameter of the staplecartridge 1046, in accordance with the algorithm 1165, wherein thephysical parameter is a tissue gap. In the illustrated example, thealgorithm 1170 includes detecting 1171 the closed configuration based ona current draw of the motor 1042, and determining 1172 the minimum gapbetween the anvil 1031 and the staple cartridge 1046 at the closedconfiguration. In one example, as described in greater detail below, theminimum gap (G) is determined based on an output signal of a sensor 1035at the closed configuration.

During closure of the end effector 1040, the control circuit 1026 isconfigured to cause the motor 1042 to generate a closure motion thatmotivates the longitudinally movable displacement member 1044 totransition the end effector 1040 to the closed configuration, asillustrated in FIG. 29 . The stop member 1039 is configured to resistthe closure motion of the end effector 1040 at the closed configuration.The resistance can be detected by an increase in the current draw of themotor 1042 during a closure of the end effector 1040 to a value greaterthan, or equal to, a predetermined threshold, which represents reachingthe closed configuration. In various aspects, the control circuit 1026is configured to determine 1173 the minimum gap (G) between the staplecartridge 1046 and the anvil 1031 when the current draw of the motor1042 is greater than, or equal to, the predetermined threshold.

The control circuit 1026 may further adjust one or more controlparameters of the surgical instrument 1022 based on the determinedminimum gap (G). In certain exemplifications, the control parameter canbe a parameter of an algorithm executable to perform a function of thesurgical instrument 1022. In certain exemplifications, the controlparameter is a threshold, or a predetermined algorithm reaction, forexample.

Referring still to FIGS. 29 and 30 , the control circuit 1026 can beconfigured to monitor the gap between the staple cartridge 1046 and theanvil 1031 using one or more sensors 1035. In the illustrated example,the sensor 1035 is a magnetic sensor such as, for example, a Hall Effectsensor. A corresponding magnet 1069 is placed on the anvil 1031. Thesensor 1035 can be configured to measure the strength of a magneticfield produced by the magnet 1069. As the gap between the anvil 1031 andthe staple cartridge 1046 decreases, the strength of the magnetic fieldincreases. Accordingly, the control circuit 1026 can be configured tomonitor the gap between the staple cartridge 1046 and the anvil 1031 bymonitoring output signals of the sensor 1035.

Other sensors for detecting the minimum gap (G) are contemplated by thepresent disclosure. In one example, the sensor 1035 comprises a straingage, a photoelectric sensor, a pressure sensor, an inductive sensor,such as an eddy current sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor,an optical sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor.

In various instances, the control circuit 1026 can utilize an algorithmto determine the change in current drawn by the motor 1042. For example,a current sensor can detect the current drawn by the motor 1042 duringthe closure motion. The current sensor can continually detect and/or canintermittently detect the current drawn by electric motor 1042. Invarious instances, the algorithm can compare the most recent currentreading to the immediately preceding current reading, for example.Additionally or alternatively, the algorithm can compare a samplereading within a time period X to a previous current reading. Forexample, the algorithm can compare the sample reading to a previoussample reading within a previous time period X, such as the immediatelypreceding time period X, for example. In other instances, the algorithmcan calculate the trending average of current drawn by the motor 1042.The algorithm can calculate the average current draw during a timeperiod X that includes the most recent current reading, for example, andcan compare that average current draw to the average current draw duringan immediately preceding time period time X, for example.

In one exemplification, the control circuit 1026 is configured toreceive a first signal indicative of the current draw of the motor 1042during a closure of the end effector 1040, and receive a second signalindicative of the gap between the staple cartridge 1046 and the anvil1031. The first signal can represent an output of a current sensorconfigured to monitor a current draw of the motor 1042 during theclosure motion, while the second signal can represent an output of thesensor 1035. Further, the control circuit 1026 can be configured tomeasure a physical parameter of the staple cartridge 1046 by determiningthe minimum gap (G) between the staple cartridge 1046 and the anvil 1031at a closed configuration identified by a current draw of the motor 1042greater than, or equal to, a predetermined threshold.

The control circuit 1026 may be configured to compare the current drawof the motor 1042 to a predetermined threshold stored in the memorycircuit 1032, for example. The control circuit 1026 may further beconfigured to store a value of the minimum gap (G) between the staplecartridge 1046 and the anvil 1031 when the current draw of the motor1042 is greater than, or equal to, a predetermined threshold. The storedvalue can then be employed to modulate one or more control parameters ofthe surgical instrument 1022.

Referring still to FIG. 30 , the algorithm 1170 may include verifying atissue compression parameter of the tissue grasped by the end effector1040 based on the minimum gap (G) and an initial tissue thickness. Incertain instances, the algorithm 1170 may verify that the tissuecompression parameter is as expected. In one example, the tissuecompression parameter is a tissue compression creep which occurs whentissue grasped by the end effector 1040 is allowed time for fluidegress.

The tissue compression creep depends on the minimum gap (G) and aninitial tissue thickness. The initial tissue thickness can be measuredusing one or more suitable sensors or sensor arrangements such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481, titled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUETHICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, which issued on May 24, 2016, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety; U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0263552, titled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESSSENSOR SYSTEM, which published on Sep. 18, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.10,032,719, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety;and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,175, titled TECHNIQUES FORADAPTIVE CONTROL OF MOTOR VELOCITY OF A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTINGINSTRUMENT, filed Jun. 20, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,881,399, which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In any event, thecontrol circuit 1026 may be configured to verify the tissue compressioncreep by comparing an expected value of the tissue compression creep,which can be stored in the memory circuit 1032 for example, with a valuethe tissue compression creep determined based on the minimum gap (G) andan initial tissue thickness.

In various aspects, as illustrated in FIG. 28 , the algorithm 1165 mayinclude verifying 1168, or identifying, the type of staple cartridge1046 seated in a jaw of the end effector 1040 based on a measured 1166physical parameter of the staple cartridge 1046. In one example, thephysical parameter is a tissue gap, or a minimum gap (G) between thestaple cartridge 1046 and the anvil 1031 at the closed configuration.

As described above, the control circuit 1026 is configured to determinea tissue gap, or a minimum gap (G) between the staple cartridge 1046 andthe anvil 1031 at the closed configuration. Different staple cartridgetypes may include different stop members configured to define differenttissue gaps, or minimum gaps (G). Accordingly, the control circuit 1026may utilize the determined minimum gap (G) to verify the type of thestaple cartridge 1046. In one example, the control circuit 1026 isconfigured to verify 1168, or identify, a type of the staple cartridge1046 by using a look-up table or database that stores staple cartridgetypes and corresponding minimum gap (G) values, for example.

In various aspects, the algorithm 1165 includes modulating one or morecontrol parameters of the surgical instrument 1022 based on the verified1168, or identified, staple cartridge type. In one example, the controlcircuit 1026 is configured to select between different algorithmsdepending on the identified staple cartridge type. The differentalgorithms can be different sensing algorithms configured to control thesensor array 1036 differently. In another example, the control circuit1026 is configured to select between different operating modes forsensors, or groups of sensors, of the sensor array 1036 depending on theidentified staple cartridge type. The operating mode can include anidler mode, an inactive mode, and/or an active mode. In one example, thecontrol circuit 1026 is configured to adjust algorithm parameter basedon the identified staple cartridge type. The algorithm parameter can bea predetermined threshold, for example. In one example, the controlcircuit 1026 is configured to adjust one or more sensor parameters basedon the identified staple cartridge type. Adjustable sensor parametersmay include ones associated with data collection, transmission, and/orprocessing such as, for example, sensor sampling rate, sampling drivecurrent and/or voltage, collection rate, sensor data resolution,sensor-data transmission rate, duration of activation, and/or frequencyof activation.

FIG. 31 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1180 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for modulating a sensor parameter ofthe sensor array 1036, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure. In the illustrated example, the algorithm 1180includes detecting 1181 closure states of the end effector 1040 based onan operational parameter of the motor 1042. The algorithm 1180 furtherincludes selectively modulating 1182 a sensor parameter of sensors ofthe sensor array 1036 in accordance with the detected closure states. Inthe illustrated example, the algorithm 1180 is implemented, or at leastpartially implemented, by the control circuit 1026. In other examples,various aspects of the algorithm 1180 can be implemented by othercontrol circuits such as, for example, the control circuit 1049, or anyother suitable control circuit. For brevity the following descriptionwill focus on executing various aspects of the algorithm 1180 by thecontrol circuit 1026.

During closure, the control circuit 1026 is configured to cause themotor 1042 to generate a closure motion that transitions the endeffector 1040 from an open configuration toward a closed configurationto grasp tissue between the jaws of the end effector 1040. Thetransition to the closed configuration includes a plurality of closurestates. For example, a first closure state can be characterized bymaking a first tissue contact which is achieved when both of the anvil1031 and the staple cartridge 1046 are first simultaneously in contactwith the tissue. In certain instances, the staple cartridge 1046 isfirst placed in contact with a target tissue. The anvil 1031 is thenmoved toward the target tissue to grasp the tissue between the staplecartridge 1046 and the anvil 1031. In such instances, the first closurestate is detected when the anvil 1031 makes first contact with thetarget tissue placed against the staple cartridge 1046. In otherinstances, the anvil 1031 is first placed in contact with a targettissue, and the staple cartridge 1046 is then moved toward the targettissue. In such instances, the first closure state is detected when thestaple cartridge 1046 makes first contact with the target tissue placedagainst the anvil 1031.

In any event, the initial contact with the tissue can yield an increasein the current draw of the motor 1042 during the closure of the endeffector due to an initial resistance of the tissue. In certaininstances, the increase is in the form of an uptick, or a step-up, whichcan be detected by the control circuit 1026 as indicative of reachingthe first closure state. In other instances, one or both of the jaws ofthe end effector 1040 may include one or more sensors configured todetect an initial tissue contact. In one example, the initial tissuecontact can be detected when the target tissue closes a tissue contactdetection circuit located on a tissue contacting surface of one or bothof the jaws of the end effector 1040. When closed, the tissue contactdetection circuit may transmit a signal indicative of a first tissuecontact, for example. The control circuit 1026 can be configured todetect a second closure state in response to the signal from the tissuecontact detection circuit.

Further to the above, the closure motion generated by the motor 1042further causes the end effector 1040 to transition from the firstclosure state to a second closure state characterized by a fully-clampedcondition, for example. At the second closure state, a closure forceapplied to the tissue is equal to, or greater than, a predeterminedthreshold. Accordingly, the control circuit 1026 can be configured todetect the second closure state by monitoring the closure force. Theclosure force can be measured by one or more force sensors responsive toa clamping load applied by the motor 1042. In various examples, the oneor more force sensors may comprise a force transducer, a torque cell, aload cell, a strain gauge, a Wheatstone bridge, or any other suitableforce sensor, for example. The control circuit 1026 can be configured todetect the second closure state in response to a sensor signal generatedby the one or more force sensor that indicates a closure force equal to,or greater than, the predetermined threshold, for example.

Further to the above, the second closure state can be followed by athird closure state characterized by a fully-stabilized tissue creep.During the initial clamping of the target tissue between the anvil 1031and the staple cartridge 1046, the longitudinally movable displacementmember 1044 must transmit a sufficient amount of axial closure force tothe anvil 1031 to pivot the anvil 1031 to a closed position and retainit in that position throughout the staple forming process. The amount ofclosure force required to close the anvil and retain it in a closedposition can vary during the stapling process due to “tissue creep”. Forexample, as the anvil 1031 compresses the target tissue, fluid withinthe clamped target tissue can “creep” or migrate within the tissue andeven flow to adjacent unclamped tissue. Following the fully-clampedcondition, the grasped tissue is allowed time for fluid egress until theclosure force is stabilized. Accordingly, the control circuit 1026 canbe configured to detect the third closure state based on the closureforce.

The control circuit 1026 may monitor the closure force for a steadystate after the second closure state is detected. In certain instances,the control circuit 1026 is configured to detect the third closure statein response to a sensor signal from the one or more force sensorsindicative of reaching a steady state after the second closure state isdetected, or after reaching a value greater than, or equal to, thepredetermined threshold. In certain instances, the steady state can becharacterized by a change in the closure force less than, or equal to, apredetermined threshold over a predetermined time period (t). In otherinstances, the steady state can be characterized by a change in theclosure force within a predetermined range over a predetermined timeperiod (t).

Further to the above, selectively modulating 1182 a sensor parameter ofsensors of the sensor array 1036 may include selectively modulatingsensor parameters may include ones associated with data collection,transmission, and/or processing such as, for example, sensor samplingrate, sampling drive current and/or voltage, collection rate, sensordata resolution, sensor-data transmission rate, duration of activation,and/or frequency of activation. In certain instances, the controlcircuit 1026 can be configured to selectively switch sensors, or subsetsof sensors, of the sensor array 1036 to an active mode, an idler mode,or an inactive mode based on the closure states to optimize datacollection, transmission, and/or processing, for example. In at leastone example, the control circuit 1026 is configured to incrementallyadjust the sampling rate of one or more sensors, or groups of sensors,of the sensor array with the detection of each of the closure states.

In various aspects, one or more closure states of the end effector 1040can be detected based on situational awareness data. For example, thecontrol circuit 1026 may detect a closure state of the end effector 1040based on a signal indicative of situational awareness data received froma surgical hub (e.g. surgical hub 1024) and/or a cloud based system fordata aggregation and analysis, for example.

In various aspects, selectively modulating 1182 a sensor parameter, inaccordance with the algorithm 1180, comprises assigning differentpriorities to different sensor data. The assigned priorities can dictatevarious aspects of the data collection, transmission, and/or processing,for example. The control circuit 1026 can be configured to assignselectively assign priorities to sensor data from different sensors, orgroups of sensors, based on the closure states. In one example,cartridge identification data may be assigned a higher priority in theopen configuration, and a lower priority at the first, second, and/orthird closure states. In another example, sensor data from tissuecontact sensors may be assigned a higher priority up to and/or at thefirst closure state, and a lower priority at the second and/or thirdclosure states. In yet another example, tissue interrogation data may beassigned a higher priority at the first, second, and/or third closurestate, and a lower priority after the third closure state. The higherpriority and/or lower priority can be implemented by a circuit 1026 byadjusting various aspects of the data collection, transmission, and/orprocessing, as previously described in greater detail.

FIG. 32 is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1190 depicting a controlprogram or a logic configuration for modulating a sensor parameter ofthe sensor array 1036, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure. In the illustrated example, the algorithm 1190includes detecting 1191 a tissue contact status of the staple cartridge1046. The algorithm 1190 further includes selectively modulating 1182 asensor parameter of one or more sensors of the sensor array 1036 inaccordance with the detected tissue contact status. In the illustratedexample, the algorithm 1190 is implemented, or at least partiallyimplemented, by the control circuit 1026. In other examples, variousaspects of the algorithm 1190 can be implemented by other controlcircuits such as, for example, the control circuit 1049, or any othersuitable control circuit. For brevity the following description willfocus on executing various aspects of the algorithm 1190 by the controlcircuit 1026.

In various aspects, detecting 1191 the tissue contact status of thestaple cartridge 1046 is performed at each of a plurality of closurestates. As the closure of the end effector 1040 commences, the sizeand/or position of the tissue in contact with the sensor array 1036 ofthe staple cartridge 1046 may change. To optimize sensor datacollection, transmission, and/or processing, the control circuit 1026can be configured to adjust one or more sensor parameters of one or moresensors, or groups of sensors, of the sensor array 1036 based on whethertissue contact is detected at the different closure states.

In certain exemplifications, as illustrated in FIG. 33 , the sensorarray 1036 is disposed along a length L of the staple cartridge 1046.However, the tissue grasped by the end effector 1040 may cover a region1193 extending only along a portion of the length L, for exampleextending along a length L₁. In such instances, sensor data from sensorsbeyond the region 1193 can be assigned a lower priority than sensor datafrom sensors within the region 1193. A control circuit 1026 can beconfigured to determine a priority level of the sensors of the sensorarray 1036 based on their location with respect to the region 1193, forexample. Furthermore, the control circuit 1026 can be configured toswitch sensors of the sensor array 1036 that are within the region 1193to an active mode 1083 and/or switch sensors of the sensor array 1136that are outside the region 1193 to an idler mode 1084 (See FIG. 15 ),for example.

In various aspects, tissue contact detection can be accomplished by atissue contact circuit 2830, as described in greater detail elsewhere inthe present disclosure. The tissue contact circuit 2830 is in opencircuit mode with no tissue located against the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b.The tissue contact circuit 2830 is transitioned to a closed circuit modeby the tissue 2820. The sensors 2788 a, 2788 b are powered by voltagesource V and a sensors circuit 2790 measures a signal generated by thesensors 2788 a, 2788 b. In some aspects, the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b mayinclude a pair of opposing electrode plates to make electrical contactwith the tissue 2820.

Any of the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b disclosed herein may include, and arenot limited to, electrical contacts placed on an inner surface of a jawwhich, when in contact with tissue, close a sensing circuit that isotherwise open. The contact sensors may also include sensitive forcetransducers that detect when the tissue being clamped first resistscompression. Force transducers may include, and are not limited to,piezoelectric elements, piezoresistive elements, metal film orsemiconductor strain gauges, inductive pressure sensors, capacitivepressure sensors, and resistive sensors.

Further to the above, a control circuit 1026, for example, may receiveone or more signals from the sensor circuit 2790 and/or sensors 2788 a,2788 b indicative of a tissue contact status of one or more regionsalong the length L of the staple cartridge 1046. In response, the adjustone or more sensor parameters of one or more sensors, or groups ofsensors, the control circuit 1026 can be configured to adjust sensorparameters of one or more sensors of the sensor array 1036 in the one ormore regions based on the tissue contact status.

Additional details are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,595,887, titledSYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING END EFFECTOR PARAMETERS BASED ON PERIOPERATIVEINFORMATION, and issued Mar. 24, 2020, U.S. Pat. No. 9,724,094, titledADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION, andissued Aug. 8, 2017, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,246, titled METHOD OFOPERATING A POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, and issued Nov. 7, 2017, theentireties of disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

In one general aspect, the present disclosure provides methods ofmonitoring multiple sensors over time to detect moving characteristicsof tissue located in the jaws of the end effector. In one aspect, theend effector comprises a cartridge. More than one sensor can be locatedon a cartridge to sense the motion of the tissue from one sensor towardsan adjacent sensor. In a stapling cartridge, multiple sensors may belocated on the stapling cartridge to sense movement of tissue bymonitoring a property of the tissue. In one aspect, the tissue propertycould be an electrical property of the tissue such as impedance orcapacitance. In another aspect, monitoring the impedance of the tissuefrom one time point to the next can allow the system to detect themotion of the tissue from one sensor towards the next.

In one aspect, a method of monitoring multiple sensors over time todetect moving characteristics of the tissue comprises monitoringmultiple sensors over time to detect tissue movement relative to atleast two sensed locations. The method provides real-time tissue flowsensing through monitoring a sensed tissue property through time.

Turning now to FIG. 34 , which illustrates a diagram of a surgicalinstrument 2750 comprising an instrument housing 2800 and an endeffector 2752 inductively coupled to the instrument housing 2800 via aset of coils 2818 implementing a wireless power and data communicationsystem, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure. The instrument housing 2800 comprises an energy source 2762and a control circuit 2760 inductively coupled to the end effector 2752.Power from the energy source 2762 is inductively coupled to the endeffector 2752 from a primary coil 2802 tuned for power located in theinstrument housing 2800 to a secondary coil 2804 tuned for power locatedin the end effector 2752. Data is transmitted between the controlcircuit 2760 and the end effector sensor circuits 2790 between a primarycoil 2816 tuned for data located in the instrument housing 2800 and asecondary coil 2814 tuned for data located in the end effector 2752.

FIG. 34 illustrates one implementation of the transmission system 1045for wireless transmission of power and data. In the implementationillustrated in FIG. 34 , power and data are transmitted separately. Inother implementations, as described supra, power and data aretransmitted sequentially or simultaneously. For brevity, the followingdescription focuses on the implementation of the transmission system1045 that is configured to separately transmit power and data. However,it is understood that the other implementations of the transmissionsystem 1045 can be equally utilized.

In various aspects, the end effector 2752 comprises a cartridge 2768 andan anvil 2766 pivotally coupled to the cartridge 2768. A plurality ofsensors 2788 (see FIG. 40 for a detail view) may be disposed in thecartridge 2768, the anvil 2766, or both. As described supra, the endeffector 2752 comprises secondary coils 2804, 2814 to receive power fromthe instrument housing 2800 and communicate between the end effector2752 circuits and the instrument housing 2800 circuits, respectively.Power from the secondary coil 2804 is rectified by a rectifier circuit2806 and filter capacitor 2808 and is provided to a plurality of sensors2788 via an analog multiplexer 2810 or other analog switching circuit.Signals from the sensors 2788 are transmitted through the analogmultiplexer 2810, coupled to a near field communication (NFC) tag 2812,and coupled to the control circuit 2760 from the secondary coil 2814located in the end effector 2752 and the primary coil 2816 located inthe instrument housing 2800. The NFC tag 2812 is configured to transmitdata from the cartridge 2768. The sensors 2788 may be configured tomeasure tissue impedance, tissue temperature, tissue capacitance, tissueinductance, elapsed time, among other tissue parameters explained in thefollowing description.

In other aspects, the cartridge 2768 portion of the end effector 2752may comprise electrodes to receive electrosurgical energy to assist orenhance the tissue sealing process. In such aspects, some or all of theplurality of sensors 2788 may act as electrodes to deliver theelectrosurgical energy through the tissue clamped between the anvil 2766and the cartridge 2768. In such aspects, the plurality of sensors 2788may be configured to measure tissue parameters such as impedance,capacitance, among other tissue parameters explained in the followingdescription.

In other aspects, the end effector 2752 may comprise a clamp armassembly and an ultrasonic blade for cutting and sealing tissue clampedbetween the clamp arm assembly and the ultrasonic blade instead of theanvil 2766 and cartridge 2768 as shown in the example of FIG. 34 . Issuch aspects comprising a clamp arm assembly and ultrasonic blade, theplurality of sensors 2788 may be disposed in the clamp arm assembly andthe electrical return path may be provided through the electricallyconductive ultrasonic blade. The plurality of sensors 788 may beconfigured to measure tissue parameters such as impedance, capacitance,among other tissue parameters explained in the following description.

In other aspects, the end effector 2752 may comprise a pair of jawsconfigured with electrodes to deliver electrosurgical energy to sealtissue clamped between the jaws instead of the anvil 2766 and cartridge2768 as shown in the example of FIG. 34 . One of the jaws may beconfigured with a knife slot for cutting through the tissue aftersealing. In such aspects, the plurality of sensors 2788 may be disposedin either jaw or both. The plurality of sensors 2788 may be configuredto measure tissue parameters such as impedance, capacitance, among othertissue parameters explained in the following description.

In other aspects, the end effector 2752 may comprise a clamp armassembly and an ultrasonic blade instead of the anvil 2766 and cartridge2768 as shown in the example of FIG. 34 . In such aspects, the clamp armassembly is configured with electrodes for receiving electrosurgicalenergy for sealing tissue located between the clamp arm assembly and theultrasonic blade. The electrical return path for the electrosurgicalenergy is provided through the electrically conductive ultrasonic blade.In such aspects, the ultrasonic blade is utilized to cut the sealedtissue clamped between the clamp arm assembly and the ultrasonic blade.The plurality of sensors 2788 may be configured to measure tissueparameters such as impedance, capacitance, among other tissue parametersexplained in the following description.

In certain instances, as described in greater detail elsewhere in thepresent disclosure, wireless power and/or data transmission between aninstrument housing 2800 and the end effector 2752 encompasses a wirelesspower and/or data transmission between the surgical instrument 2750 andthe staple cartridge 2768. For example, the primary coils 2802, 2816 canbe disposed on a cartridge channel of the end effector 2752, and thesecondary coils 2804, 2814 can be disposed on the staple cartridge 2768such that the primary coils 2802, 2816 and the secondary coils 2804,2814 are aligned for a wireless connection when the staple cartridge2768 is seated in the cartridge channel. In such instances, theinstrument housing 2800 may encompass a proximal housing including theenergy source 2762 and the control circuit 2760, a shaft extendingdistally from the proximal housing, and the cartridge channel.

FIG. 35 illustrates a block diagram of the surgical instrument 2750shown in FIG. 34 comprising an instrument housing 2800 and an endeffector 2752 inductively coupled to the instrument housing 2800 via aset of coils 2818 implementing a wireless power and data communicationsystem, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 2750 is configured orprogrammed to control the distal translation of a displacement membersuch as the !-beam 2764. The surgical instrument 2750 comprises an endeffector 2752 that may comprise an anvil 2766, an I-beam 2764 (includinga sharp cutting edge), and a removable cartridge 2768. The end effector2752 comprises sensors 2788 and a sensors circuit 2790 coupled to thesensors 2788. Power is inductively coupled to the sensor circuit 2790and to the sensors 2788 through coils 2802, 2804 via near fieldcommunication. Signals (e.g., voltage, current, resistance, impedance,capacitance, inductance, frequency, phase, etc.) from the sensors 2788are conditioned by the sensors circuit 2790. The signals or datacorresponding to the signals are communicated between the sensorscircuit 2790 in the end effector 2752 and the control circuit 2760 inthe instrument housing 2800 via near field communication inductivecoupling between the coils 2814, 2816.

It will be appreciated that the sensors 2788 may be located in anysuitable location in the end effector 2752. In one aspect, the sensors2788 are arranged in an array in the cartridge 2768. In another aspect,the sensors 2788 are arranged in an array in the anvil 2766. In variousaspects, the sensors 2788 are arranged in arrays in the cartridge 2768and the anvil 2766. The control circuit 2760 may be configured tomonitor the sensors 2788 over time to detect moving characteristics oftissue located in the jaws of the end effector 2752. In one aspect, thejaws of the end effector 2752 may be comprised of the anvil 2766 and thecartridge 2768, for example.

The position, movement, displacement, and/or translation of a lineardisplacement member, such as the I-beam 2764, can be measured by anabsolute positioning system, sensor arrangement, and position sensor2784. A control circuit 2760 may be configured or programmed to controlthe translation of the displacement member, such as the I-beam 2764. Thecontrol circuit 2760, in some examples, may comprise one or moremicrocontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors forexecuting instructions that cause the processor or processors to controlthe displacement member, e.g., the I-beam 2764. In other aspects, thecontrol circuit 2760 may comprise analog or digital circuits such as,for example, programmable logic devices (PLD), field programmable gatearrays (FPGA), discrete logic, or other hardware circuits, software,and/or firmware, or other machine executable instructions to perform thefunctions explained in the following description.

In one aspect, the control circuit 2760 may be configured or programmedto sense multiple longitudinal and lateral locations within the endeffector 2752 independently and to use these different sensed locationswith a localized predetermined return path to sense changes in theimpedance of tissue grasped between the anvil 2766 and the cartridge2768 both laterally and longitudinally to be able to detect any specifictissue mid-thickness measure by triangulating at least twointerconnected session combinations. For example, the sensors 2788 maycomprise an array of impedance sensors distributed laterally andlongitudinally along the length of the stapler jaws, i.e., the cartridge2768 and anvil 2766. As the jaws are closing, the control circuit 2760may track the local impedance over time during the course of the jawclosure for each sensor, based on readings from the timer/counter 2781,or using software timing techniques. This time history can be used toinfer, if present, regions of heterogeneous impedance values—where thereare distinct changes or anomalies that mark a particular location. Thesebaseline location(s) are noted and tracked as firing is initiated. Onceinitiated, the position histories of these locations is tracked and usedfor feedback control of the firing process. In another example, thecontrol circuit may be configured or programmed to modify functions ofthe surgical instrument 2750 to alter tissue flow during firing of theI-beam 2764 including changing the firing speed, pauses (complete stops)in firing, closure force, among other parameters.

In other aspects, the control circuit 2760 may be configured orprogrammed to predict an amount of tissue flow occurring in the jaws ofthe end effector 2752 by monitoring the sensors 2788. Knowledge oftissue type from situational awareness and/or other device sensedmeasures, e.g., rate of change of closure load during closure, rate ofchange of closure load after closure is complete, etc. can be used bythe control circuit 2760 to predict tissue flow. Accordingly, in oneaspect, the control circuit 2760 is configured or programmed todetermine tissue type or condition by combining tissue flow during jawclosure with force feedback of the anvil 2766 closure system.

In another example, the predictions can be further refined by using thesensors 2788 to measure tissue impedance, among other parameters, detectrigid or foreign objects in the jaws, measure magnitude of tissueimpedance, measure tissue flow during jaw closure, etc. In anotherexample, the control circuit 2760 may execute a jaw closure algorithm tosense tissue movements during closure as an indicator of the potentialeffect of each change during firing of the I-beam 2764. For example, ata first closure rate, the control circuit 2760 estimates themagnitude/direction of tissue flow, adjusts the closure rate of thejaws, and observes or records the changes in tissue flow within thejaws. In another example, the control circuit 2760 may be configured orprogrammed to predict post-fire tissue position by utilizing closureflow in combination with closure force feedback prior to firing toprovide feedback to surgeon and allowing an opportunity to repositionthe end effector 2752 to ensure tissue is fully captured in cut the lineof the end effector 2752 (See slots 2822, 2824 in FIG. 40 for an exampleof a cut line).

In other aspects, the control circuit 2760 may be configured orprogrammed to receive data for various configurations of the sensors2788 to monitor and interrogate tissue. This may include, monitoringtissue impedance, and tracking the impedance of the tissue across asingle electrode or segmented electrode set configured along the lengthof the cartridge 2788. The control circuit 2760 may be configured orprogrammed to monitor spectrographic impedance by utilizing sweeps ofdifferent frequencies and monitoring the tissue impedance to the powerand frequency to determine the physiological composition of the tissue,monitoring capacitance of the tissue, and determining the tissuecharacteristics and gap relationship of the jaws to determine the amountof tissue present within the jaws. In another aspect, the controlcircuit 2760 may be configured or programmed to measure lighttransmissivity, refractivity or Doppler effects to determine tissuecharacteristics. Local light refractivity analysis may be employed todetermine the surface conditions of the tissue to monitor irregularitieswithin the tissue captured between the jaws. The control circuit 2760may be configured or programmed to monitor local moving particles oftissue using Doppler effect frequency analysis of the light.

In one aspect, a timer/counter 2781 provides an output signal, such asthe elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 2760 tocorrelate the position of the I-beam 2764 as determined by the positionsensor 2784 with the output of the timer/counter 2781 such that thecontrol circuit 2760 can determine the position of the !-beam 2764 at aspecific time (t) relative to a starting position. The timer/counter2781 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events,or time external events. In other aspects, the timer/counter 2781 may beemployed to measure elapsed time to monitor the sensors 2788 over timeto detect moving characteristics of tissue located in the jaws of theend effector 2752.

The control circuit 2760 may generate a motor set point signal 2772. Themotor set point signal 2772 may be provided to a motor controller 2758.The motor controller 2758 may comprise one or more circuits configuredto provide a motor drive signal 2774 to the motor 2754 to drive themotor 2754 as described herein. In some examples, the motor 2754 may bea brushed DC electric motor. For example, the velocity of the motor 2754may be proportional to the motor drive signal 2774. In some examples,the motor 2754 may be a brushless DC electric motor and the motor drivesignal 2774 may comprise a PWM signal provided to one or more statorwindings of the motor 2754. Also, in some examples, the motor controller2758 may be omitted, and the control circuit 2760 may generate the motordrive signal 2774 directly.

The motor 2754 may receive power from an energy source 2762. The energysource 2762 may be or include a battery, a super capacitor, or any othersuitable energy source. The motor 2754 may be mechanically coupled tothe I-beam 2764 via a transmission 2756. The transmission 2756 mayinclude one or more gears or other linkage components to couple themotor 2754 to the I-beam 2764. A position sensor 2784 may sense aposition of the I-beam 2764. The position sensor 2784 may be or includeany type of sensor that is capable of generating position data thatindicate a position of the I-beam 2764. In some examples, the positionsensor 2784 may include an encoder configured to provide a series ofpulses to the control circuit 2760 as the !-beam 2764 translatesdistally and proximally. The control circuit 2760 may track the pulsesto determine the position of the I-beam 2764. Other suitable positionsensors may be used, including, for example, a proximity sensor. Othertypes of position sensors may provide other signals indicating motion ofthe I-beam 2764. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 2784 may beomitted. Where the motor 2754 is a stepper motor, the control circuit2760 may track the position of the I-beam 2764 by aggregating the numberand direction of steps that the motor 2754 has been instructed toexecute. The position sensor 2784 may be located in the end effector2752 or at any other portion of the instrument.

The control circuit 2760 may be in communication with one or moresensors 2788 located in the end effector 2752. The sensors 2788 may bepositioned in the end effector 2752 and adapted to operate with thesurgical instrument 2750 to measure various derived parameters such asgap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, anvil strainversus time, tissue movement versus time, tissue impedance, tissuecapacitance, spectroscopic impedance, light transmissivity, refractivityor Doppler effects, among other parameters. The sensors 2788 maycomprise a magnetic sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a strain gauge, apressure sensor, a force sensor, an inductive sensor such as an eddycurrent sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an opticalsensor, and/or any other suitable sensor for measuring one or moreparameters of the end effector 2752. The sensors 2788 may include one ormore sensors.

The one or more sensors 2788 may comprise a strain gauge, such as amicro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of the strain inthe anvil 2766 during a clamped condition. The strain gauge provides anelectrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of thestrain. The sensors 2788 may comprise a pressure sensor configured todetect a pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue betweenthe anvil 2766 and the cartridge 2768. The sensors 2788 may beconfigured to detect impedance of a tissue section located between theanvil 2766 and the cartridge 2768 that is indicative of the thicknessand/or fullness of tissue located therebetween.

The sensors 2788 may be is configured to measure forces exerted on theanvil 2766 by a closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors2788 can be at an interaction point between a closure tube and the anvil2766 to detect the closure forces applied by a closure tube to the anvil2766. The forces exerted on the anvil 2766 can be representative of thetissue compression experienced by the tissue section captured betweenthe anvil 2766 and the cartridge 2768. The one or more sensors 2788 canbe positioned at various interaction points along the closure drivesystem to detect the closure forces applied to the anvil 2766 by theclosure drive system. The one or more sensors 2788 may be sampled inreal time during a clamping operation by a processor of the controlcircuit 2760. The control circuit 2760 receives real-time samplemeasurements to provide and analyze time-based information and assess,in real time, closure forces applied to the anvil 2766.

A current sensor 2786 can be employed to measure the current drawn bythe motor 2754. The force required to advance the I-beam 2764corresponds to the current drawn by the motor 2754. The force isconverted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 2760.

The drive system of the surgical instrument 2750 is configured to drivethe displacement member, cutting member, or I-beam 2764, by a brushed DCmotor with gearbox and mechanical links to an articulation and/or knifesystem. Another example is the electric motor 2754 that operates thedisplacement member and the articulation driver, for example, of aninterchangeable shaft assembly. An outside influence is an unmeasured,unpredictable influence of things like tissue, surrounding bodies andfriction on the physical system. Such outside influence can be referredto as drag which acts in opposition to the electric motor 2754. Theoutside influence, such as drag, may cause the operation of the physicalsystem to deviate from a desired operation of the physical system.

Various example aspects are directed to a surgical instrument 2750comprising an end effector 2752 with motor-driven surgical stapling andcutting implements. For example, a motor 2754 may drive a displacementmember distally and proximally along a longitudinal axis of the endeffector 2752. The end effector 2752 may comprise a pivotable anvil 2766and, when configured for use, a cartridge 2768 positioned opposite theanvil 2766. A clinician may grasp tissue between the anvil 2766 and thecartridge 2768, as described herein. When ready to use the instrument2750, the clinician may provide a firing signal, for example bydepressing a trigger of the instrument 2750. In response to the firingsignal, the motor 2754 may drive the displacement member distally alongthe longitudinal axis of the end effector 2752 from a proximal strokebegin position to a stroke end position distal of the stroke beginposition. As the displacement member translates distally, an I-beam 2764with a cutting element positioned at a distal end, may cut the tissuebetween the cartridge 2768 and the anvil 2766.

In various examples, the control circuit 2760 may be configured orprogrammed to control the distal translation of the displacement member,such as the !-beam 2764, for example, based on one or more tissueconditions. The control circuit 2760 may be configured or programmed tosense tissue conditions, such as thickness, flow, impedance,capacitance, light transmissivity, either directly or indirectly, asdescribed herein. The control circuit 2760 may be configured orprogrammed to select a firing control program based on tissueconditions. A firing control program may describe the distal motion ofthe displacement member. Different firing control programs may beselected to better treat different tissue conditions. For example, whenthicker tissue is present, the control circuit 2760 may be configured orprogrammed to translate the displacement member at a lower velocityand/or with lower power. When thinner tissue is present, the controlcircuit 2760 may be configured or programmed to translate thedisplacement member at a higher velocity and/or with higher power.

FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view of an end effector 2752 of thesurgical instrument 2750 shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 , in accordance withat least one aspect of the present disclosure. The end effector 2752comprises an anvil 2766 and a cartridge 2768 forming a pair of jaws tograsp tissue 2820 therebetween as shown in FIG. 37 . The plurality ofsensors 2788 may be disposed in the anvil 2766, the cartridge 2768, orboth.

FIG. 37 depicts an example of an end effector 2752 with tissue 2820compressed in the jaws formed by the anvil 2766 and cartridge 2768, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The anvil2766 defines a first longitudinal slot 2822 configured to slidablyreceive an I-beam portion for closing the anvil 2766 in order to grasptissue 2820. The cartridge 2768 defines a second longitudinal slot 2824configured to receive a cutting element for severing the tissue 2820grasped between the anvil 2766 and the cartridge 2768. The longitudinalslots 2822, 2824 define a cut the line of the end effector 2752. (Seeslots 2822, 2824 in FIG. 40 .)

With reference now to FIGS. 36-37 , the sensors 2788 may be positionedin the anvil 2766 and the cartridge 2768 on opposite sides of the tissue2820 grasped therebetween. As described supra, the plurality of sensors2788 may be configured to measure various derived parameters such as gapdistance versus time, tissue compression versus time, anvil strainversus time, tissue movement versus time, tissue impedance, tissuecapacitance, spectroscopic impedance, light transmissivity, refractivityor Doppler effects, among other parameters.

FIGS. 38A and 38B are schematic illustrations of a tissue contactcircuit 2830, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure. The tissue contact circuit 2830 in FIG. 38A is shown in opencircuit mode with no tissue located between sensors 2788 a, 2788 b priorto clamping between the anvil 2766 and cartridge 2768 (described inFIGS. 34-37 ), respectively. The tissue contact circuit 2830 shown inFIG. 38B is shown in closed circuit mode showing the completion of thecircuit upon the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b in contact with tissue 2820after clamping between the anvil 2766 and cartridge 2768. The sensors2788 a, 2788 b are powered by voltage source V and the sensors circuit2790 measures a signal generated by the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b. and comein contact with the tissue 2829 in the jaws. In some aspects, thesensors 2788 a, 2788 b may include a pair of opposing electrode platesto make electrical contact with the tissue 2820.

Any of the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b disclosed herein may include, and arenot limited to, electrical contacts placed on an inner surface of a jawwhich, when in contact with tissue, close a sensing circuit that isotherwise open. The contact sensors may also include sensitive forcetransducers that detect when the tissue being clamped first resistscompression. Force transducers may include, and are not limited to,piezoelectric elements, piezoresistive elements, metal film orsemiconductor strain gauges, inductive pressure sensors, capacitivepressure sensors, and resistive sensors.

In an aspect, any one of the aforementioned surgical instruments mayinclude one or more piezoelectric elements to detect a change inpressure occurring on the jaw members. Piezoelectric elements arebi-directional transducers which convert stress into an electricalpotential. Elements may consist of metallized quartz or ceramics. Inoperation, when stress is applied to the crystals there is a change inthe charge distribution of the material resulting in a generation ofvoltage across the material. Piezoelectric elements may be used toindicate when any one or both of the jaw members (e.g., anvil 2766,cartridge 2768) makes contact with the tissue 2820 and the amount ofpressure exerted on the tissue 2820 after contact is established.

In an aspect, the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b may comprise one or moremetallic strain gauges placed within or upon a portion of the bodythereof. Metallic strain gauges operate on the principle that theresistance of the material depends upon length, width and thickness.Accordingly, when the material of the metallic strain gauge undergoesstrain the resistance of the material changes. Thus, a resistor made ofthis material incorporated into a circuit will convert strain to achange in an electrical signal. Desirably, the strain gauge may beplaced on the surgical instruments such that pressure applied to thetissue effects the strain gauge.

Alternatively, in another aspect, the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b maycomprise one or more semiconductor strain gauges may be used in asimilar manner as the metallic strain gauge described above, althoughthe mode of transduction differs. In operation, when a crystal latticestructure of the semiconductor strain gauge is deformed, as a result ofan applied stress, the resistance of the material changes. Thisphenomenon is referred to as the piezoresistive effect.

In yet another aspect, the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b may comprise one ormore inductive pressure sensors to transduce pressure or force intomotion of inductive elements relative to each other. This motion of theinductive elements relative to one another alters the overall inductanceor inductive coupling. Capacitive pressure transducers similarlytransduce pressure or force into motion of capacitive elements relativeto each other altering the overall capacitance.

In still another aspect, the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b may comprise one ormore capacitive pressure transducers to transduce pressure or force intomotion of capacitive elements relative to each other altering an overallcapacitance.

In one aspect, the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b may comprise one or moremechanical pressure transducers to transduce pressure or force intomotion. In use, a motion of a mechanical element is used to deflect apointer or dial on a gauge. This movement of the pointer or dial may berepresentative of the pressure or force applied to the tissue 2820. Byway of example, mechanical elements may be coupled with other measuringand/or sensing elements, such as a potentiometer pressure transducer. Inthis example the mechanical element is coupled with a wiper on thevariable resistor. In use, pressure or force may be transduced intomechanical motion which deflects the wiper on the potentiometer thuschanging the resistance to reflect the applied pressure or force.

In another aspect, the tissue 2820 impedance Z may be measured by thesensors circuit 2790 by applying a voltage difference V across thesensors 2788 a, 2788 b, conducting an electrical current I through thetissue 2820, and measuring the voltage and current (V, I) to determinethe impedance Z. In another aspect, the capacitance C of the tissue 2820between the sensors 2788 a, 2788 b may be measured by the sensorscircuit 2790 based on the tissue impedance Z according to the followingformula C=½πfZ, where f is the frequency of the alternating voltage andcurrent and C is the capacitance of the tissue 2820.

In one aspect, the sensors circuit 2790 may generally be an integratedcircuit that measures the capacitance of the conductive plates of thesensors 2788 a, 2788 b. In some aspects, the sensors circuit 2790 maymeasure a supply voltage V and current I, measure an external voltage,and/or measure a temperature. The tissue capacitance sensors circuit2790 system applies an electric field signal to the tissue 2820 todetermine a capacitance signal. The sensors circuit 2790 generates oneor more electric signals to generate an electric field signal in thetissue 2820 to drive a capacitance node defined by the conductive plateof sensor 2788 a to emit an electric field in the tissue 2820. In someexamples, the capacitance node includes a single plate capacitor whichuses the tissue 2820 as a dielectric. In many examples, the electricfield signal may be a modulated electric signal.

In one aspect, the sensors circuit 2790 can apply an electric fieldproximate to the tissue 2820, which can include application of anelectric field signal without contact of any capacitor plate portion ofcapacitance node to the tissue 2820. In other examples, any associatedcapacitor plate portion of capacitance node is positioned to contacttissue 2820. A contact example is shown in FIG. 38B. An electric fieldsignal may comprise a modulated signal produced by the sensors circuit2790 and apply by the voltage supply V.

The sensors circuit 2790 can detect changes in the electric field signalapplied to the tissue 2820 to identify a capacitance signal. Thesechanges in electric field signal can be measured and detected by thesensors circuit 2790. The change in capacitance can be monitored as anelectric field signal is applied to the tissue 2820 and the capacitancesignal can reflect the change in capacitance. In various aspects, theelectric field signal may comprise a modulated signal, such as a sinewave signal. Modulation circuitry used to produce electric field signalcan include a capacitor portion of the conductive plate of the sensors2788 a forming a capacitance node. Changes in a capacitance value of acapacitor used to apply electric field signal to the tissue 2820 can bedetected by the sensors circuit 2790 as a change in modulation frequencyor a change in power draw of the capacitor or associated modulationcircuitry, among other detection methods. These changes in electricfield signal also can be measured by monitoring changes in a noiselevel, current draw, or other characteristics of electric field signalas detected by the sensors circuit 2790. The sensors circuit 2790 maycomprise capacitance-to-digital converter circuitry. The capacitancesignal can be monitored concurrent with other physiological parametermonitoring, as explained in the following description.

FIG. 39 is a schematic illustration of a surgical instrument 2750described in connection with FIGS. 34 and 35 comprising sensormonitoring and processing circuit 2400, in accordance with at least oneaspect of the present disclosure. The sensor monitoring and processingcircuit 2400 is contained within the instrument housing 2800 and iswirelessly coupled to the end effector 2752 through near fieldcommunication coils 2802/2804 for power and coils 2814/2816 for data.

In one aspect, the sensor monitoring and processing circuit 2400comprises tissue impedance module 2442. In one aspect, the tissueimpedance module 2442 may be configured to measure tissue impedance Zand capacitance. The tissue impedance module 2442 also may be employedto monitor other tissue parameters. In one aspect, the tissue impedancemodule 2442 may comprise an RF oscillator 2446, a voltage sensingcircuit 2448, and a current sensing circuit 2450. The voltage andcurrent sensing circuits 2448, 2450 respond to the RF voltage Vrfapplied to electrodes or sensors 2788 disposed in the end effector 2752and the RF current Irf conducted through the electrodes of the sensors2788, the tissue, and other conductive portions of the end effector2752. The sensed current Irf and the sensed voltage Vrf from the currentsense circuit 2430 and the voltage sense circuit 2432 are converted todigital form by the analog-to-digital converter 2436 (ADC) via an analogmultiplexer 2434. The control circuit 2760 receives the digitized output2438 of the ADC 2436 and processes the signals in conjunctions withsensor data coupled through coils 2814/2816 to determine various tissueparameters including to measure tissue impedance, tissue temperature,tissue capacitance, tissue inductance, elapsed time, among other tissueparameters explained in the following description. In one aspect, tissueimpedance Z and/or tissue capacitance may be calculated by the controlcircuit 2760 by calculating the ratio of the RF voltage Vrf to currentIrf measured by the voltage sensing circuit 2448 and the current sensecircuit 2450 or by processing the data received from the sensors circuit2790 independently.

In one form, the control circuit 2760 may be configured to generate adigital current signal 2420 and a digital frequency signal 2422. Thesesignals 2420, 2422 are applied to a direct digital synthesizer (DDS)circuit 2424 to adjust the amplitude and the frequency (f) of thecurrent output signal 2404 to the sensors 2788 disposed in the endeffector 2752. The output of the DDS circuit 2424 is applied to anamplifier 2426 whose output may be applied to a transformer 2428. Theoutput of the transformer 2428 is inductively coupled to a power module2805 in the end effector 2752 through the coils 2802/2804. The powermodule 2805 may include rectifiers, filters, and other elements to applypower to the sensors 2788 and the sensors circuit 2790.

In one form, the RF voltage Vrf applied to the end effector 2752electrodes and the RF current Irf conducted through the tissue clampedby the end effector 2752 are suitable for vessel sealing and/ordissecting. Thus, the RF power output of the sensor monitoring andprocessing circuit 2400 can be selected for therapeutic functions suchas sealing and dissecting and non-therapeutic functions such asmeasuring tissue impedance, capacitance, and other tissue parameters. Itwill be appreciated, that in the context of the present disclosure,ultrasonic and RF electrosurgical energies can be supplied to the endeffector 2752 either individually or simultaneously for therapeutic ornon-therapeutic functions.

In one aspect, inputs 2412 to the sensor monitoring and processingcircuit 2400 may comprise any suitable input signals 2414 that can beapplied to the control circuit 2760 to control the operation of thesensor monitoring and processing circuit 2400. In various forms, theinputs 2412 may be preprogrammed, uploaded, and/or entered via a userinterface such as buttons, switches, thumbwheels, keyboard, keypad,touch screen monitor, pointing device, remote connection to a generalpurpose or dedicated computer. In other forms, the inputs 2412 maycomprise a suitable user interface. Accordingly, by way of example, theinputs 2412 may be set or entered by a user to program the current (I),voltage (V), frequency (f), and/or period (T) for programming thefunction output of the sensor monitoring and processing circuit 2400.The control circuit 2760 may display the selected inputs 2412.

In one form, the various executable modules (e.g., algorithms 2410)comprising computer readable instructions can be executed by the controlcircuit 2760 portion of the sensor monitoring and processing circuit2400. In various forms, the operations described with respect to thetechniques may be implemented as one or more software components, e.g.,programs, subroutines, logic; one or more hardware components, e.g.,processors, DSPs, PLDs, ASICs, circuits, registers; and/or combinationsof software and hardware. In one form, the executable instructions toperform the techniques may be stored in memory. When executed, theinstructions cause the control circuit 2760 to determine tissueparameters as described herein. In accordance with such executableinstructions, the control circuit 2760 monitors and evaluates voltage,current, and/or frequency signal samples available from the sensormonitoring and processing circuit 2400 and according to the evaluationof such signal samples determines tissue parameters. As furtherexplained in the following description, a change in tissue parameters,state, or condition may be determined based on processing such signals.

FIG. 40 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the end effector2752 comprising the anvil 2766 and cartridge 2768 to show arrays ofsensors 2788 a, 2788 b disposed therein, in accordance with at least oneaspect of the present disclosure. A first array of sensors 2788 a may bedisposed in the anvil 2766 longitudinally, along the I-beam slot 2822,and laterally, on either side of the I-beam slot 2822. A second array ofsensors 2788 b may be disposed in the cartridge 2768 longitudinally,along the knife slot 2824, and laterally, on either side of the knifeslot 2824. In various other aspects, the sensors 2788 may be located inthe anvil 2766, or in the cartridge 2768, or both the anvil 2766 and thecartridge 2768. Further, in some aspects the array of sensors 2788 adisposed in the anvil 2766 may be arranged longitudinally, laterally, orboth longitudinally and laterally as shown in FIG. 40 . In other aspectsthe array of sensors 2788 b disposed in the anvil 2766 may be arrangedlongitudinally, laterally, or both longitudinally and laterally as shownin FIG. 40 . The sensors 2788 may be arranged in arrays comprising asingle row or multiple rows or single sensors. Still further, thesensors 2788 in either array of sensors 2788 a, 2788 b may beindividually addressed, powered, and read by the control circuit 2760.In other aspects, the array of sensors 2788 a in the anvil 2766 may beaddressed, powered, and read by the control circuit 2760 as a groupseparately from the array of sensors 2788 b in the cartridge 2768. Inother aspects, the array of sensors 2788 b in the cartridge 2768 may beaddressed, powered, and read by the control circuit 2760 as a groupseparately from the array of sensors 2788 a in the anvil 2766. In otheraspects, the array of sensors 2788 a in the anvil 2766 and the array ofsensors 2788 b in the cartridge 2768 may be addressed, powered, and readby the control circuit 2760 as a group.

FIG. 41 is a partial cutaway view of the cartridge 2768 comprising aplurality of independently addressable sensors 2788 (S₁-S_(n)), inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Toaddress and read each one of the plurality of sensors 2788, individuallylabeled S₁-S_(n), the sensors circuit 2790 comprises a multiplexer 2840and a logic circuit 2842 to control the selection and reading of theindividual sensors 2788. The outputs of the sensor 2788 are routed tothe inputs 2844 of the multiplexer 2840. Individual sensors S₁-S_(n) canbe selected by the logic circuit 2842 by individually addressing asensor through the multiplexer input select 2846 lines. The output 2848of a selected sensor S₁-S_(n) is provided to the logic circuit 2842 andcoupled to the control circuit 2760 through coils 2814, 2816, forexample, for further processing to track properties of the tissue andexecute algorithms for tracking to motion of the tissue across multiplesensors S₁-S_(n). As shown in FIG. 41 , in one aspect, the sensorsS₁-S_(n) are coupled to a common return path. A similar configurationmay be provided in the anvil 2766 portion of the end effector 2752 (FIG.40 ).

The positions of the sensors S₁-S_(n) are mapped to the cartridge 2768such that the control circuit 2760 knows the location of each sensorS₁-S_(n) on the cartridge 2768. By monitoring the output of each sensorS₁-S_(n), the control circuit 2760 can determine if tissue is occupyingthe location of a sensor S₁-S_(n) based on the output of the monitoredsensor S₁-S_(n). For example, if the monitored property of the tissue2820 is impedance Z, the control circuit 2760 can map the location ofthe tissue 2820 based on impedance outputs read from each sensorS₁-S_(n), to infer the presence of tissue 2820 based on an impedancereading and infer the absence of tissue based on no impedance reading(e.g., open circuit).

The description now turns to various methods 2900, 2910, 2930, 2950 asillustrated in the accompanying FIGS. 42-45 . Each of the methods 2900,2910, 2930, 2950 may be implemented as algorithms 2410 stored in programmemory of the sensor monitoring and processing circuit 2400 that may beexecuted by the control 2760 as explained in connection with FIG. 39 .In one aspect, the algorithms 2410 (e.g., methods 2900, 2910, 2930,2950) may be stored as a series of machine executable instructions thatthe control circuit 2760 is programmed to execute. In other aspects, thealgorithms 2410 (e.g., methods 2900, 2910, 2930, 2950) may be executedby the control circuit 2760 implemented in in hardware where the controlcircuit 2760 is configured to execute the algorithms 2410.

With reference now to FIGS. 34-42 , in one general aspect, FIG. 42illustrates a flow diagram of a method 2900 of monitoring multiplesensors 2788 located is the jaws of end effector 2752 over time todetect characteristics of tissue 2820 grasped in the jaws of the endeffector 2752, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure. In one aspect one aspect, the surgical instrument 2750comprises an end effector 2752 comprising a pair of jaws for graspingtissue 2820 therebetween. In one aspect the end effector 2752 comprisesan anvil 2766 and cartridge 2768. A plurality of sensors 2788 may belocated on the cartridge 2768 to sense the motion of tissue 2820 graspedbetween the anvil 2766 and the cartridge 2768 from one sensor S₁ towardsan adjacent sensor S₂, for example. As explained supra, the controlcircuit 2760 may be configured to execute the method 2900, implementedas an algorithm 2410 in the sensor monitoring and processing circuit2400.

In one aspect, the control circuit 2760 is configured to independentlyselect any one or more of the sensors S₁-S_(n) disposed in the endeffector 2752. The one or more sensors S₁-S_(n) are configured to sense2902 a property of tissue 2820 disposed in the end effector 2752 of thesurgical instrument 2750. The control circuit 2760 is configured tomonitor 2904 the sensed property of the tissue 2820 disposed in the endeffector 2752 of the surgical instrument 2750 over time. In a staplingcartridge, multiple sensors 2788 are disposed on the stapling cartridge2768 and can be independently monitored to sense movement of the tissue2820 relative to each sensor 2788 as described in FIG. 41 . In oneaspect, the control circuit 2760 sends a command to the logic circuit2842 to select an individual sensor S₁-S_(n) through the multiplexer2840. Each sensor S₁-S_(n) be sequentially addressed and monitored in acontinuous loop. By monitoring 2904 the output 2848 of each of theselected sensor S₁-S_(n), the control circuit 2760 may be configured tosense 2906 movement of the tissue 2820 from one sensor S₁ relative to anadjacent sensor S₂ based on the monitored property of the tissue 2820.In one aspect, the tissue property monitored by the control circuit 2760can be an electrical property of the tissue 2820 such as impedance Z orcapacitance C. In another aspect, monitoring the impedance Z orcapacitance C of the tissue 2820 from one time point to the next canallow the control circuit 2760 to detect the motion of the tissue 2820from one sensor towards the next. The control circuit 2760 may beconfigured to select 2908 a function of the surgical instrument 2750based on the sensed movement of the tissue 2820. The control circuit2760 can detect the position on the tissue 2820 based on the monitoredproperty of the tissue 2820. In various other aspects, the monitored2902 property may be rate of change of closure load during closure ofthe end effector 2752 on the tissue 2820, rate of change of closure loadafter closure of the end effector 2752 on the tissue 2820 is complete,force applied to the tissue 2820, impedance Z spectrography, lighttransmissivity, light refractivity, or Doppler effects to determinetissue characteristics, among other properties that may be monitored bythe sensors S₁-S_(n).

With reference now to FIGS. 34-41 and 43 , in one general aspect, FIG.43 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 2910 of monitoring multiplesensors 2788 located in the jaws of the end effector 2752 over time todetect characteristics or properties of tissue 2820 grasped in the jawsof the end effector 2752, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure. In one aspect, the method 2910 comprises monitoringmultiple sensors S₁-S_(n) over time to detect motion characteristics ofthe tissue 2820, to detect tissue 2820 movement relative to at least twosensed locations, and to provide real-time tissue flow sensing bymonitoring one or more than one sensed tissue property over a period oftime. As explained supra, the control circuit 2760 may be configured toexecute the method 2910 implemented as an algorithm 2410 in the sensormonitoring and processing circuit 2400.

In one aspect, the control circuit 2760 is configured to independentlysense tissue 2820 properties by monitoring multiple longitudinally andlaterally disposed sensor S₁-S_(n) locations in the end effector 2752.The control circuit 2760 may be configured to employ sensing techniqueswith a localized predetermined return path to sense changes in aproperty of the both laterally and longitudinally. In various aspects,the tissue property may be impedance Z, impedance Z spectrography,capacitance C, force exerted on the end effector 2752, force applied tothe tissue 2820, light transmissivity, light refractivity, or Dopplereffects to determine tissue characteristics, among other tissueproperties that may be monitored by the sensors S₁-S_(n).

light reflectivity, light refraction, among others. Using these sensingtechniques, the control circuit 2760 can detect specific a mid-thicknessmeasure of the tissue 2820 located between at least two interconnectedsensor combinations in the array of sensors 2788, for example S₁-S₂ orS₁-S₄, using well-known triangulation algorithm techniques.

More specifically, according to one aspect of the method 2910, thecontrol circuit 2760 may be configured to monitor 2912 an array oflongitudinal and lateral sensors S₁-S_(n) independently and measure aproperty of the tissue 2820. For example, the control circuit 2760 maymonitor the impedance Z, capacitance C, force exerted on the endeffector 2752, light reflection, light refraction etc., of the tissue2820 to determine if an individual or group of sensors S₁-S₂ is incontact with tissue 2820. The control circuit 2760 may be configured todetermine 2914 any changes in the monitored property of the tissue 2820both laterally and longitudinally and these changes may be tracked overa period of time occurring during closure, after closure is complete,during firing, or after firing is complete. The control circuit 2760 maybe configured to triangulate 2916 at least two interconnected sensorcombinations, for example S₁-S₂ or S₁-S₄, using well-known triangulationalgorithm techniques to detect 2918 the mid-thickness measure of tissue2820 located between two S₁-S₂ or S₁-S₄, for example, and select 2920 afunction of the surgical instrument 2750 based on the detectedmid-thickness of the tissue 2820.

There are a variety of well-known triangulation algorithms that may beemployed by the control circuit 2760 to detect mid-thickness of thetissue 2820. These algorithms include the Delaunay TriangulationAlgorithm, “A New Voronoi-Based Surface Reconstruction Algorithm”(Amenta et al., SIGGRAPH 1998), and “Poisson Surface Reconstruction”(Kazhdan et al, Symposium on Geometry Processing 2006), for example,each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

The Delaunay Triangulation Algorithm is able to generate edges betweenvertices based on spatial geometric relationship among vertices from aset of vertices, thereby constructing a set of triangular faces and thusconstructing a target mesh model. The vertices may be determined bysensors S₁-S_(n) locations that sense the presence of tissue 2820.Specifically, the Delaunay Triangulation Algorithm speculatively maycalculate out the vertices between which there should be a connectingline by attempting to maximize the value of the least of the threeinterior angles of each triangular face. In most cases, the DelaunayTriangulation Algorithm would avoid generating a triangle that is toonarrow and long in shape (e.g., a triangle of which at least one of theinterior angles is less than 10 degrees). From experimental resultsdisclosed in a number of literatures it may be known that, in the caseof a large number of vertices, the Delaunay Triangulation Algorithm canmake a relatively accurate guess on the edges among vertices.

With reference to FIGS. 34-41 and 44 , in one general aspect, FIG. 44illustrates a method 2930 of monitoring an array of sensors S₁-S_(n)distributed laterally and longitudinally along the length of the endeffector 2752 jaws (e.g., cartridge 2768 and anvil 2766) to determinethe location of heterogeneous tissue impedance regions of tissue 2820grasped in the jaws of the end effector 2752, in accordance with atleast one aspect of the present disclosure. As explained supra, thecontrol circuit 2760 may be configured to execute the method 2930implemented as an algorithm 2410 in the sensor monitoring and processingcircuit 2400.

In one aspect, the control circuit 2760 is configured to monitor 2932the jaws of the end effector 2752 closing on tissue 2820 (e.g., theanvil 2766 pivotally rotating toward the cartridge 2768 to grasp tissuetherebetween). The control circuit 2760 may be configured to monitor2934 each sensor S₁-S_(n) located on the anvil 2766 and/or cartridge2768 of the jaw for a tissue property during the jaw closing period. Invarious aspects, the tissue property may be impedance Z, impedance Zspectrography, capacitance C, force exerted on the end effector 2752,force applied to the tissue 2820, light transmissivity, lightrefractivity, or Doppler effects to determine tissue characteristics,among other tissue properties that may be monitored by the sensorsS₁-S_(n). The control circuit 2760 can track and record the sensedtissue property for each sensor S₁-S_(n) during the jaw closure period.This time history of the sensed tissue property during the jaw closureperiod can be used by the control circuit 2760 to determine 2936, e.g.,by inference, if present, heterogeneous regions of the monitored tissueproperty—where the heterogeneous define distinct changes or anomaliesthat mark a particular baseline location. The control circuit 2760 maybe configured to track 2938 these baseline location(s) as the firing ofthe knife/I-beam 2764 is initiated. Once firing of the knife/I-beam 2764is initiated, the control circuit 2760 is configured to track 2940 theposition histories of these baseline locations and use them for feedbackcontrol of the firing process. The control circuit 2760 is configured tomodify 2942 functions of the surgical instrument 2750 to alter tissueflow during the knife/I-beam 2764 firing process. Device functions thatcan be modified to alter tissue flow during the firing process includeschanging the firing speed, pausing (complete stops) the firing process,closure force among, others.

With reference to FIGS. 34-41 and 45 , in one general aspect, FIG. 45illustrates a method 2950 of monitoring an array of sensors S₁-S_(n)distributed laterally and longitudinally in the end effector 2752 (e.g.,cartridge 2768 and anvil 2766) to predict tissue 2820 flow in the jawsof the end effector 2752, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure. As explained supra, the control circuit 2760 may beconfigured to execute the method 2950 implemented as an algorithm 2410in the sensor monitoring and processing circuit 2400.

In order to predict the amount of tissue 2820 flow in the jaws of theend effector 2752, according to the method 2950, the control circuit2760 may be configured to monitor 2952 an array of longitudinal andlateral sensors S₁-S_(n) independently and measure a property of thetissue 2820. In various aspects, the tissue property may be impedance Z,impedance Z spectrography, capacitance C, force exerted on the endeffector 2752, force applied to the tissue 2820, light transmissivity,light refractivity, or Doppler effects to determine tissuecharacteristics, among other tissue properties that may be monitored bythe sensors S₁-S_(n). During the monitoring 2952 phase, the controlcircuit 2760 may be configured to determine 2954 changes in themonitored property of the tissue 2820 both longitudinally and laterallyand based on the determined 2954 changes, the control circuit 2760 maybe configured to sense 2956 tissue flow during the jaw closure timeperiod. Once the tissue flow is sensed 2956, the control circuit 2760may be configured to determine 2958 at least one device parameter afterjaw closure is complete. The at least one device parameter may includedevice sensed parameters such as, for example, rate of change of closureload during closure, rate of change of closure load after closure iscomplete, etc. The control circuit 2760 may be configured to determine2960 tissue type or tissue condition based on the tissue flow during jawclosure in combination with the at least one device parameter determined2958 after the jaw closure is complete. The control circuit 2760 may befurther configured to modify 2962 functions of the surgical instrumentbased on the tissue type.

In one aspect, sensing 2956 tissue flow can be based on knowledge oftissue type from situational awareness and/or other device sensedmeasures (e.g., rate of change of closure load during closure, rate ofchange of closure load after closure is complete, etc.). Tissue type ortissue condition may be determined tissue type by combining tissue flowduring jaw closure with force feedback of closure system. Tissue flowmay be further refined by determining tissue impedance. The process maybe employed to detect rigid or foreign objects within the jaws of theend effector 2752.

In another aspect, the control circuit 2760 may be configured to monitorand record the magnitude of tissue impedance Z while measuring tissueflow during jaw closure. A jaw closure algorithm can be used to sensetissue movements during closure as an indicator of the potential effectof each change during firing of the knife/I-beam 2764. For example, at afirst closure rate, the magnitude/direction of tissue flow may beestimated, then the closure rate may be adjusted and the changes intissue flow are tracked and recorded in memory by the control circuit2760. In one aspect, the control circuit 2760 may be configured topredict post-fire tissue position by utilizing closure tissue flow andclosure force feedback prior to firing—to provide feedback to surgeonallowing opportunity to reposition to ensure tissue is fully captured inthe cut line 2824 of the end effector 2752.

In various other aspects, the control circuit 2760 of the sensormonitoring and processing circuit 2400 may be configured or programmedto execute algorithms 2410 to monitor and interrogate tissue based on avariety of sensor configurations in the end effector 2752.

In one aspect, the control circuit 2760 may be configured or programmedto monitor tissue impedance Z over time and tracking the tissueimpedance Z across a single electrode or segmented electrodes of thesensor array S₁-S_(n) configured along the length of the cartridge 2768.

In other aspects, the control circuit 2760 may be configured orprogrammed to monitor tissue impedance Z spectrography. This may beaccomplished by utilizing sweeps of different frequencies and monitoringthe tissue impedance Z to the power and frequency to determine thecomposition of the tissue 2820.

In other aspects, the control circuit 2760 may be configured orprogrammed to monitor tissue capacitance C. Tissue characteristics andgap relationship of the jaws may be utilized to determine the amount oftissue 2820 present in the jaws of the end effector 2752.

In other aspects, the jaws of the end effector 2752 may include opticalsensors disposed longitudinally and laterally in the anvil 2766 and/orcartridge 2768. The control circuit 2760 may be configured to monitorlight transmissivity, refractivity, or Doppler effects to determinetissue characteristics. The method may include analyzing local lightrefractivity to determine the surface conditions of the tissue 2820 tomonitor irregularities within the tissue captured between the jaws. Themethod further may include analyzing a Doppler effect frequency of thelight to monitor for local moving particles of tissue in the jaws of theend effector 2752.

In one general aspect, the present disclosure provides a sensor andelectronic circuit capable of monitoring at least two internal cartridgecomponent locations to determine status or operation of the cartridge.The disclosure also provides sensors and electronic circuit formonitoring the internal function or motion of components within thecartridge to determine the status, operation, or current stroke locationof the couple firing actuator. In one aspect, the sensors and electroniccircuit provides information to the user derived from the sensedparameters. In another aspect, the electronic circuit can alter thefunctional status of the device (e.g., safety lock-out) based on thesensed status.

In various aspects, the cartridge sensors and electronic circuit areconfigured to monitor the operation of the cartridge elements comprisessensors and electronic circuit for detecting staple drivers and thedeployment of staples to monitor the status and operation of stapledeployment. In another aspect, the cartridge sensors and electroniccircuit are configured to monitor and interrogate tissue captured in thejaws of the end effector. Finally, in another aspect, the cartridgesensors and electronic circuit are configured to employ a combination ofdata aggregation that can be employed to create redundant measures ofsafety. These aspects are explained in more detail in the followingdescription accompanying the drawings.

An exploded view of an end effector 4000 of a surgical stapling systemis illustrated in FIG. 46 . The end effector 4000 comprises a frame4002, a cartridge jaw 4004, and an anvil 4006. The cartridge jaw 4004extends fixedly from the frame 4002. The anvil 4006 is movable betweenan open, or unclamped, position and a closed, or clamped, positionrelative to the cartridge jaw 4004. In alternative aspects, thecartridge jaw 4004 is movable between an open, or unclamped, positionand a closed, or clamped, position relative to the anvil 4006. In atleast one such embodiment, the anvil 4006 extends fixedly from the frame4002.

The cartridge jaw 4004 includes a channel or carrier 4022 configured toreceive a staple cartridge, such as a staple cartridge 4008, forexample. Referring to FIG. 46 , the staple cartridge 4008 comprises acartridge body 4010. The cartridge body 4010 comprises a deck 4012configured to support the tissue of a patient, a longitudinal slot 4014,and six longitudinal rows of staple cavities 4016 defined therein. Eachstaple cavity 4016 is configured to receive and removably store a stapletherein. The staple cartridge 4008 further comprises staple drivers 4028configured to drive the staples out of the staple cavities 4016. Otherstaple cartridges with various other arrangements of staple cavities,decks, and/or staples are envisioned for use with the end effector 4000.

Further to the above, the staple cartridge 4008 further comprises a sled4018 configured to engage the staple drivers 4028. More specifically,the sled 4018 comprises ramps 4020 configured to engage cams defined onthe staple drivers 4028 and lift the staple drivers 4028 and the stapleswithin the staple cavities 4016 as the sled 4018 is moved distallythrough the staple cartridge 4008. A firing member is configured tomotivate the sled 4018 distally from a proximal, unfired, or startingposition toward a distal, fired, or end position during a staple firingstroke.

The staples are supported by the staple drivers 4028 in the cartridgebody 4010. The staple drivers 4028 are movable between a first, orunfired position, and a second, or fired, position to eject the staplesfrom the staple cavities 4016. The staple drivers 4028 are retained inthe cartridge body 4010 by a pan or retainer 4030 which extends aroundthe bottom of the cartridge body 4010 and includes resilient members4031 configured to grip the cartridge body 4010 and hold the retainer4030 to the cartridge body 4010. The staple drivers 4028 are movablebetween their unfired positions and their fired positions by the sled4018. The sled 4018 is movable between a proximal position and a distalposition. The sled 4018 comprises a plurality of ramped surfaces 4020configured to slide under the staple drivers 4028 and lift the stapledrivers 4028, and the staples supported thereon, toward the anvil 4006.

In various examples, the staple cartridge 4008 includes one or moreretaining members that are configured to ensure a tight attachmentbetween an unfired staple cartridge 4008 and a cartridge channel orcarrier 4022. The retaining members can be moved, or otherwise modified,during the firing of the staple cartridge 4008 to yield a reducedattachment between the fired staple cartridge 4008 and the cartridgechannel or carrier 4022. The reduced attachment permits a user to easilyremove the fired staple cartridge 4008 from the cartridge channel orcarrier 4022.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 46 , the staple cartridge 4008 isremovably seated in the cartridge channel or carrier 4022. The staplecartridge 4008 includes two retaining members 4037 on opposite sides ofthe staple cartridge 4008. The retaining members 4037 are configured tomaintain, or to help maintain, a tight attachment between the staplecartridge 4008 and the cartridge channel or carrier 4022. The retainingmembers 4037 may extend from a base 4019 of the retainer 4030. Invarious examples, the retaining members 4037 are spaced apart from walls4039 of the retainer 4030 to permit the retaining members 4037 to flexrelative to the walls 4039.

Each retaining member 4037 is in the form of a resilient member movablebetween a biased configuration in an unfired staple cartridge 4008, andan unbiased, or less biased, configuration in a fired staple cartridge4008. In the unfired staple cartridge 4008, the retaining member 4037 isbiased into an engagement with the cartridge channel or carrier 4022 tomaintain, or to help maintain, a pre-firing cartridge removal load. Aload greater than or equal to the pre-firing cartridge removal load isneeded to separate an unfired staple cartridge 4008 from the cartridgechannel or carrier 4022.

Each retaining member 4037 includes a first curved portion 4044 thatdefines a first retention feature or detent receivable in a depressionor groove defined in a side wall 4009 of the cartridge channel orcarrier 4022. The first curved portion 4044 is retained in groove whilethe retaining member 4037 is in the biased configuration. Each retainingmember 4037 further includes a second curved portion 4047 that defines asecond retention feature detent configured to rest against at least onestaple driver 4028 while the retaining member 4037 is in the biasedconfiguration. In various examples, each retaining member 4037 defines aplane transecting the base 4019, wherein the first curved portion 4044defines a first detent on the first side of the plane, and wherein thesecond curved portion 4047 defines a second detent on the second side ofthe plane.

In one aspect, the pan or retainer 4030 comprises a first plurality ofsensors 4050 arranged in a first array disposed longitudinally on bothsides of a longitudinal slot 4054 formed in the base 4019 of theretainer 4030. A second plurality of sensors 4052 arranged in a secondarray are disposed on one side of the longitudinal slot 4054. It will beappreciated, however, that the second sensor array 4052 also may bedisposed on both sides of the longitudinal slot 4054. In one generalaspect, the first sensor array 4050 are configured to detection motionof the movable staple drivers 4028 and more particularly, the firstsensor array 4050 are configured to sense the advancement state of thestaple drivers 4028 to drive the staples out of the staple cavities4016. In one aspect, the second sensor array 4052 are configured tosense the motion of the sled 4018 as it moves along the longitudinalslot 4054 and actuates the staple drivers 4028.

In one aspect, the sled 4018 and/or the staple drivers 4028 may beformed out of ferromagnetic material or embedded with ferromagneticparticles. The first and second sensor arrays 4050, 4052 may bepositioned in the pan or retainer 4030 of the cartridge base 4019. Themovement of the sled 4018 and/or the staple drivers 4028 induces acurrent (signal) in the first and/or second sensor arrays 4050, 4052below the staple driver 4028 to produce a signal detectable by theelectronic circuit 4074, described in FIG. 47 . This configuration ofthe sled 4018 and staple drivers 4028 and the first and second sensorarrays 4050, 4052 enable the electronic circuit 4074 to determine theposition and speed of the staple driver 4028 and/or the position andspeed of the sled 4018.

Referring to FIGS. 46 and 47 , the staple cartridge 4008 includes acartridge circuit 4044. The cartridge circuit 4024 includes a storagemedium 4026, a cartridge connector-region 4017 comprising a plurality ofexternal electrical contacts 4028, and a cartridge-status circuitportion 4032 that includes a trace element 4034. The storage medium 4026can be a memory that stores information about the staple cartridge 4008such as, for example, various characteristics of the staple cartridge4008 including a firing status, staple-type, staple-size, cartridgebatch number, and/or cartridge color.

FIG. 47 is a schematic illustration of the first and second sensorarrays 4050, 4052 positioned in the pan or retainer 4030 of thecartridge base 4019, the first and second sensor arrays 4050, 4052 showncoupled to an electronic circuit 4074, in accordance with at least oneaspect of the present disclosure. As shown, the first sensor array 4050is longitudinally disposed on both sides of the slot 4054 defined in thepan or retainer 4030. The second sensor array 4052 is disposedlongitudinally along one side of the slot 4054, although in otheraspects the second sensor array 4052 may be disposed on both sides ofthe slot 4054 similar to the first sensor array 4050.

With reference now to FIGS. 46 and 47 , in one aspect, the first sensorarray 4050 comprises a plurality of elements configured to detect themovement of the staple drivers 4028 as they move between their unfiredpositions and their fired positions by the sled 4018. As discussedsupra, the staple drivers 4028 may be made of a ferromagnetic materialor may be embedded with a ferromagnetic material that is detected by theelements in the first sensor array 4050. In one aspect, the movement ofthe staple driver 4028 induces a current (signal) in the first arraysensor 4050 located below the staple driver 4028. Thus, the first sensorarray 4050 can detect the position and speed of the staple driver 4028.In one aspect, the first sensor array 4050 may comprise a plurality ofHall cells constructed from a semiconductor strip. In other aspects, thefirst sensor array 4050 may comprise a plurality of Hall sensorelements. In other aspects, the first sensor array 4050 may comprisesother sensor elements configured to detect magnetic fields generated bymoving ferromagnetic elements in the cartridge 4008.

Still with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47 , in one aspect, the secondsensor array 4052 comprises a plurality of elements configured to detectthe movement of the sled 4018 or the tissue cutting knife and it movedalong the slot 4014 of the staple cartridge 4008. As discussed supra,the sled 4018 or the tissue cutting knife may be made of a ferromagneticmaterial or may be embedded with a ferromagnetic material that isdetected by the elements in the second sensor array 4052. In one aspect,the movement of the sled 4018 or cutting knife induces a current(signal) in the second array sensor 4052 as it travels along the slot4054. Thus, the second sensor array 4052 can detect the position andspeed of the sled 4018 or cutting knife. In one aspect, the sensor array4052 may comprise a plurality of Hall cells constructed from asemiconductor strip. In other aspects, the second sensor array 4052 maycomprise a plurality of Hall sensor elements. In other aspects, thesecond sensor array 4052 may comprises other sensor elements configuredto detect magnetic fields generated by moving ferromagnetic elements inthe cartridge 4008.

Still with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47 , the first sensor array 4050 iscoupled to a control circuit 4062 for processing the signals 4058generated by the motion of the staple drivers 4028. The signals 4058generated by the first sensor array 4050 may comprise voltage, current,resistance, impedance, capacitance, inductance, frequency, phase, etc.The individual sensor elements of the first sensor array 4050 areselected by a multiplexer 4056 by the control circuit 4062 and areselected by a logic/analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit 4060 viaselect line 4066. The output signal 4058 of the selected sensor elementis routed to the output 4068 of the multiplexer 4056 to an ADC portionof the logic/ADC circuit 4060. The digital output value of the outputsignal 4058 of the selected sensor element in the first sensor array4050 is read by the control circuit 4062 through data lines 4064. Thevalue may be stored in the memory 4066 coupled to the control circuit4062.

The second sensor array 4052 is coupled to the control circuit 4062 forprocessing the signals 4070 generated by the motion of the sled 4018 ortissue cutting knife. The signals 4070 generated by the second sensorarray 4052 may comprise voltage, current, resistance, impedance,capacitance, inductance, frequency, phase, etc. The individual sensorelements of the second sensor array 4052 are selected by the multiplexer4056 by the control circuit 4062 and are selected by the logic/ADCcircuit 4060 via select line 4066. The output signal 4070 of theselected sensor element is routed to the output 4068 of the multiplexer4056 to an ADC portion of the logic/ADC circuit 4060. The digital outputvalue of the output signal 4070 of the selected sensor element in thesecond sensor array 4052 is read by the control circuit 4062 throughdata lines 4064. The value may be stored in the memory 4066 coupled tothe control circuit 4062.

In various aspects, the control circuit 4062 may comprise one or moremicrocontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors forexecuting instructions that cause the processor or processors to processthe signals received from the first and second sensor arrays 4050, 4052.In other aspects, the control circuit 4062 may comprise analog ordigital circuits such programmable logic devices (PLD), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGA), discrete logic, or other hardwarecircuits, software, and/or firmware, or other machine executableinstructions to perform the functions explained in the followingdescription. The control circuit 4062 is coupled to a memory 4066 forstoring data and/or machine executable instructions. In various aspects,the control circuit 4062 and the memory 4066 may be located in thecartridge 4008. In other aspects, the control circuit 4062 and thememory 4066 may be located off the cartridge 4008 and coupled to theother components of the electronic circuit 4074 via wired or wirelesscommunication techniques. In other aspects, the memory 4066 may belocated in the cartridge 4008 and the control circuit 4062 may belocated off the cartridge 4008 and coupled to the electronic circuit4074 via wired or wireless connection techniques.

Still with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47 , for configurations where thetissue cutting knife is housed within the cartridge 4008 instead ofbeing integrated to the I-Beam, the knife can serve as the ferromagneticmaterial. Same principle can be applied to the staple pan or retainer4030, the I-beam, and anvil 4006. In some aspects, the staples may bemade of Titanium or Titanium alloys. However, if staples are made of aferromagnetic material, the same principle could also be applied to thestaples.

If the motions of measured components such as staple drivers 4028 andthe sled 4018, for example, deviates from what is desired, improperdevice status, poor staple formation, etc. can occur which can lead tocomplications such as bleeding, leaks, etc. Accordingly, the controlcircuit 4062 may be programmed or configured to detect the deviationfrom the proper operation based on the readings obtained from the firstand second sensor arrays 4050, 4052 and intervene in the function of thedevice before the next step in the operation has begun to improve theoperation of the device. For example, if a staple driver 4028 does notmove the intended distance, staple formation can be compromised. If thesled 4018 does not move the intended distance, the staple line may notbe complete. Accordingly, the control circuit 4062 may process themeasured signals 4058, 4070 obtained from the first and second sensorarrays 4050, 4052 to authenticate the cartridge 4008 and to ensure it isnot a (sub-optimal) copy. In addition, the control circuit 4062 mayprocess the measured signals 4058, 4070 obtained from the first andsecond sensor arrays 4050, 4052 to determine device status includingwhether the cartridge 4008 was properly loaded, the staple pan orretainer 4030 has been removed, cartridge 4008 was already fired, etc.Additional circuits explained below in reference to FIGS. 48 and 49 canbe employed by the control circuit 4062 to determine if a bad stapleformation may occur such as when a staple leg does not contact a staplepocket, which likely increases the potential for leaks in that area.Other conditions that can be monitored be the control circuit 4062include, for example, determining whether the anvil 4006 is fully closedprior to firing the sled 4018 and tissue cutting knife, for example.

Turning now primarily to FIGS. 48 and 49 and with reference back toFIGS. 46 and 47 , the anvil 4006 comprises staple-forming pockets 4310including an electrically conductive circuit element 4314, in accordancewith one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 49 illustratesa perspective view of the staple-forming pocket 4310 of FIG. 48 afterthe electrically conductive circuit element 4314 has been severed by astaple leg during proper formation of the staple leg, in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 48 , a staple-forming pocket 4310 comprises aconcave surface 4324 that intersects the tissue-contacting surface 4308at outer edges 4326. The electrically conductive circuit element 4314can be positioned onto the concave surface 4324 in the path of aproperly forming staple. Sidewalls 4328 along with the concave surface4324 define a forming track 3325 for a staple leg. The concave surface4324 includes a first contact portion 4330, a deep portion 4332, and anend portion 4334. The first contact portion 4330 is configured to makefirst contact with the tip of the staple leg as the staple leg entersthe staple-forming pocket 4310. The staple leg is then curled as itfollows the forming track 4325 passing along the deep portion 4332 andthe end portion 4334 of the concave surface 4324. The end portion 4334guides the staple leg toward the base of the staple.

As illustrated in FIG. 48 , the electrically conductive circuit element4314 can be positioned across the forming track 4325. Since successfulcontact with the first contact portion 4330 increases the likelihood ofproper formation of a staple leg, placing the electrically conductivecircuit element 4314 onto the forming track 4325 at a position beyondthe first contact portion 4330 improves the accuracy of detecting properor improper staple formation.

In at least one example, the electrically conductive circuit element4314 is placed on the forming track 4325 between the first contactportion 4330 and the deep portion 4332. In at least one example, theelectrically conductive circuit element 4314 is placed on the formingtrack 4325 between the deep portion 4332 and the end portion 4334. In atleast one example, the electrically conductive circuit element 4314 isplaced on the forming track 4325 within the deep portion 4332. In atleast one example, the electrically conductive circuit element 4314 isplaced on the forming track 4325 at the center, or substantially at thecenter, of the deep portion 4332. In at least one example, theelectrically conductive circuit element 4314 is placed on the formingtrack 4325 at the deepest section of the forming track 4325. In at leastone example, the electrically conductive circuit element 4314 ispositioned onto the concave surface 4324 closer to the first contactportion 4330 than end portion 4334. In at least one example, theelectrically conductive circuit element 4314 is positioned onto theconcave surface 4324 closer the end portion 4334 than the first contactportion 4330.

In certain instances, an electrical circuit can be positioned in thepath of a properly forming staple and may be coupled to the electroniccircuit 4074 (FIG. 47 ). The electronic circuit 4074 is configured todetect the continuity of the electrically conductive circuit element4314 to determine if a staple was properly formed in the staple-formingpocket 4310. In such instances, an interruption in the electricalcircuit can be construed by the electronic circuit 4074 as an indicationthat a staple was properly formed while persistence in the electricalcontinuity of the electronic circuit can be construed by the electroniccircuit 4074 as an indication that a staple was improperly formed. Inother instances, an electrical circuit can be positioned in a likelypath of an improperly forming staple. In such other instances, aninterruption in the electrical continuity of the electrical circuit canbe construed as an indication that a staple was improperly formed whilepersistence in the electrical continuity of the electrical circuit canbe construed by the electronic circuit 4074 as an indication that thestaple was properly formed.

Referring to FIG. 48 , an electrical circuit can include one or moreelectrically conductive circuit elements 4314 that cause an interruptionin the electrical circuit when severed by a staple leg as the staple legis formed. An electrically conductive circuit element 4314 of anelectrical circuit can be positioned in the path of a properly formingstaple leg. A severance of the electrically conductive circuit element4314, as illustrated in FIG. 49 , can be construed as an indication thatthe staple was properly formed. In other instances, an electricallyconductive circuit element 4314 of an electrical circuit can bepositioned in a likely path of an improperly forming staple. In suchinstances, a severance of the electrically conductive circuit element4314 can be construed by the electronic circuit 4074 as an indicationthat a staple was improperly formed.

With reference to FIGS. 46-49 , in one aspect the control circuit 4062may be programmed or configured to monitor and interrogate tissue. Inone aspect, the control circuit 4062 may be programmed or configured tomonitor magnetic fields by reading the output signals 4058, 4070 of thefirst and second sensor arrays 4050, 4052 located in the pan or retainer4030 portion of the staple cartridge 4008 in the end effector 4000. Thefirst and second sensor arrays 4050, 4052 may be disposed in the pan orretainer 4030 portion to monitor magnetic structures located within theboundaries of the cartridge 4008 or to monitor or aero magnetic fieldsoutside the cartridge 4008. The control circuit 4062 may be furtherprogrammed or configured to detection the staple legs contacting thestaple-forming pocket 4310 as explained in FIGS. 48 and 49 as associateddescription. The control circuit 4062 may consider the detection of thestaple legs contacting the staple-forming pocket 4310 in combinationwith the signals 4058, 4070 received from the first and second sensorarrays 4050, 4052 to determine the status of the cartridge 4008 such as,for example, determining whether the cartridge 4008 was properly loaded,the staple pan or retainer 4030 has been removed, cartridge 4008 wasalready fired, staples are properly formed, location and speed of thestaple drivers 4028, and/or location and speed of the sled 4018, amongothers. Additional techniques for detecting staple formation aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,456,137 titled STAPLE FORMATION DETECTIONMECHANISMS, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 50 illustrates a distal sensor plug 4816 comprising an electroniccircuit 4074 configured to monitor and process signals 4058, 4070 fromthe first and second sensor arrays 4050, 4052, in accordance with atleast one aspect of the present disclosure. The distal sensor plug 4816comprises a memory sensor 4810 and an electronic circuit 4074. Thedistal sensor plug 4816 further comprises a flex board 4814. The sensor4810 and the electronic circuit 4074 are operatively coupled to the flexboard 4814 such that they are capable of communicating. Additional smartcartridge techniques are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,993,248 titledSMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING, which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

With reference to FIGS. 46-50 , in one aspect, the cartridge 4008feature sensing of the staple drivers 4028, sled 4018, and otherelements, employed to monitor the operation of the cartridge 4008 may beused in combination with other data aggregations to create redundantmeasures of safety. Accordingly, a combination or hybrid of datatransferred to the cartridge 4008 and data sensed locally on thecartridge 4008 may be processed by the control circuit 4062 for safetycontext resolution.

In one aspect, the combination of aggregated data may be obtained by thecontrol circuit 4062 from mechanically derived data sources andinstrument lockout data sources. The combination of data may beprocessed by the control circuit 4062 to determine authenticity, safety,and data value of the cartridge 4008 or other end effector 4000components. For example, the mechanical lockout acts a safety system forforce detection. In one aspect, as explained herein, a force feature maybe provided in the cartridge 4008 to identify the presence of an unfiredreload and some level of identification of the type of cartridge 4008loaded in the end effector 4000. The mechanical lockout exists inconjunction to ensure that failure of digital detection still allowssafe operation of the device. This could be as part of the same systemor as a separate system, for example.

In another aspect, the combination of aggregated data may be obtained bythe control circuit 4062 from multiple radio frequency identification(RFID) tags or 1-wire memories located on different data channels. Thiscombination of data may be processed by the control circuit 4062 todetermine authenticity, safety, and data value of the cartridge 4008 orother end effector 4000 components. The authenticity of the cartridge4008 may be determined by a combination of multiple RFID or 1-wirememory sources for security. Safety may be accomplished by employingmultiple data channels in the cartridge 4008 to ensure redundancy in thesystem. In one aspect, the reading should not be established unless allsystem faults/challenges are successfully mitigated.

In yet another aspect, the combination of aggregated data may beobtained by the control circuit 4062 from at least one RFID tag or1-wire memory in combination with mechanical lockout data. Thiscombination of data may be processed by the control circuit 4062 todetermine authenticity, safety, and data value of the cartridge 4008 orother end effector 4000 components. Authenticity may be determined byencryption of the memory device and embedding force features in thecartridge 4008 mechanical lockout as explained supra. Further, themechanical lockout acts as a safety system for the memory device.

In yet another aspect, the combination of aggregated data may beobtained by the control circuit 4062 from at least one RFID tag or1-wire memory in combination with force detection data. This combinationof data may be processed by the control circuit 4062 to determineauthenticity, safety, and data value of the cartridge 4008 or other endeffector 4000 components. Authenticity may be determined by encryptionof the memory device and the presence of a force detection feature.Safety may be accomplished by a force detection confirmation of propersystem function. Needs to only function if all system faults/challengesare successfully mitigated.

In yet another aspect, the combination of aggregated data may beobtained by the control circuit 4062 from multiple RFID tags incombination with mechanical lockout data. This combination of data maybe processed by the control circuit 4062 to determine authenticity,safety, and data value of the cartridge 4008 or other end effector 4000components. Authenticity may be determined by employing multiple memorysources for security device and the presence of a mechanical lockout.The mechanical lockout acts as a safety system for the memory device.

In yet another aspect, the combination of aggregated data may beobtained by the control circuit 4062 from a memory source and forcedetection data where memory access is restricted. The memory source datais used to unlock the memory source and force detection. A tuningcircuit may be employed to unlock memory access a force detection data.The force detection data may be employed as an input value toauthenticate memory reads.

Each of the above described processing of aggregated data may be basedon a hardware based programmable logic risk mitigation strategycomprising digital logic including, for example, FPGAs and ASICs(application specific integrated circuits).

FIG. 51 is a method 4100 of monitoring internal systems of a staplecartridge 4000 to detect and track motion status of cartridgecomponents, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure. Having described a sensor system configured to monitor atleast two internal cartridge 4008 component locations to determinestatus or operation of the cartridge 4008 to determine the status,operation, or current stroke location of the coupled firing actuator,provide information to the user derived from the sensed parameters, andalter the functional status of the device (e.g., safety lock-out) basedon the sensed status, the description now turns to a method 4100 ofmonitoring the internal function or motion of components within thecartridge 4008 as shown in FIG. 51 . The method 4100 may be implementedby the control circuit 4062 of the electronic circuit 4074 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 46-50 and more particularly in FIG. 47 .

According to the method, the control circuit 4062 is programmed orconfigured to receive 4102 the digitized signal 4058 samples from thefirst sensor array 4050 configured to monitor a first internal functionor motion of a component located within the staple cartridge 4008 of asurgical instrument. The first sensor array 4050 is disposed in thecartridge 4008 to sense the location or motion of a first componentlocated in the cartridge 4008. By way of example, as discussed supra,the first sensor array 4050 is disposed on the pan or retainer 4030 ofthe cartridge 4008 and is configured to sense the location or motion ofthe staple drivers 4028. In addition to the staple driver 4028 and sled4018 information, the control circuit 4062 may receive a signal from theelectrically conductive circuit element 4314 of the staple-formingpockets 4310 to determine proper formation of the staple leg.

According to the method 4100, the control circuit 4062 is programmed orconfigured to receive 4104 the digitized signal 4070 samples from thesecond sensor array 4052 configured to monitor a second internalfunction or motion of a component located within the staple cartridge4008. The second sensor array also is disposed in the cartridge 4008 tosense the location or motion of a second component located in thecartridge 4008. By way of example, the second sensor array 4052 isdisposed in the pan or retainer 4030 of the cartridge 4008 and isconfigured to sense the location or motion of the sled 4018. Asdiscussed throughout this disclosure, the firing actuator is coupled tothe sled 4018 and the tissue cutting knife. Accordingly, the positionand speed of the sled 4018 as sensed by the second sensor array 4052 maybe processed by the control circuit 4062 to determine status, operation,or current stroke location of the firing actuator and/or tissue cuttingknife.

According to the method 4100, the control circuit 4062 is programmed orconfigured to process 4106 the signal 4058, 4070 samples received 4102,4104 from the first and second sensor arrays 4050, 4052 to determine astatus of the staple cartridge 4008. The control circuit 4062 isprogrammed or configured to provide 4108 information derived from theprocessed signal samples to a user of the surgical instrument. Accordingto the method 4100, the control circuit 4062 is programmed or configuredto alter 4110 the functional status of the surgical instrument (e.g.,safety lock-out) based on the sensed status of the cartridge 4008 basedon the processed signal samples.

Also, by way of example, as discussed supra, the control circuit 4062may receive data from multiple sources including, without limitation,mechanical lockout features, force measurements, RFID tags, 1-wire orother memory devices to determine authenticity, safety, and data valueassociated with cartridge 4008.

The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described inconnection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, theembodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments areenvisioned which deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps ortacks, for example. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned whichutilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For instance, an endeffector in accordance with various embodiments can comprise electrodesconfigured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for instance, an endeffector in accordance with certain embodiments can apply vibrationalenergy to seal the tissue.

The entire disclosures of:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC        DEVICE, which issued on Apr. 4, 1995;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT        HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which        issued on Feb. 21, 2006;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING        AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which        issued on Sep. 9, 2008;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS,        which issued on Dec. 16, 2008;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN        ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS,        which issued on Jul. 13, 2010;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE        IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES, now U.S. Pat. No.        7,845,537;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL        CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed        Feb. 14, 2008;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873, entitled END        EFFECTORS FOR A SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed        Feb. 15, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782, entitled        MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.        8,210,411;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,972, entitled MOTORIZED        SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,083;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED        SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY        RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled        MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR        DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat.        No. 8,220,688;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE, filed Sep. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,613;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.        8,561,870;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT        ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE,        filed on Jun. 15, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,358;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13,        2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13,        2013, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552;    -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled        SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER        LOCKING MECHANISM, filed Jan. 31, 2006; and    -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled        SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR,        filed Apr. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby        incorporated by reference herein.

Although various devices have been described herein in connection withcertain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodimentsmay be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristicsmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus,the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated ordescribed in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole orin part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one or moreother embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials aredisclosed for certain components, other materials may be used.Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may bereplaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replacedby a single component, to perform a given function or functions. Theforegoing description and following claims are intended to cover allsuch modification and variations.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the stepsincluding, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followedby cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, andsubsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioningfacility and/or surgical team can disassemble a device and, aftercleaning and/or replacing particular parts of the device, the device canbe reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety oftechniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use ofsuch techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all withinthe scope of the present application.

The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, anew or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. Theinstrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, theinstrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plasticor TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a fieldof radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation,x-rays, and/or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria onthe instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may thenbe stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep theinstrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A devicemay also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art,including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethyleneoxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various forms of thedevices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples can beimplemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range ofhardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof.Those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the formsdisclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implementedin integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on oneor more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or morecomputer systems), as one or more programs running on one or moreprocessors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or moremicroprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof,and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for thesoftware and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skillin the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matterdescribed herein are capable of being distributed as one or more programproducts in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative form of thesubject matter described herein applies regardless of the particulartype of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out thedistribution.

Instructions used to program logic to perform various disclosed aspectscan be stored within a memory in the system, such as dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage.Furthermore, the instructions can be distributed via a network or by wayof other computer readable media. Thus a machine-readable medium mayinclude any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a formreadable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but is not limited to, floppydiskettes, optical disks, compact disc, read-only memory (CD-ROMs), andmagneto-optical disks, read-only memory (ROMs), random access memory(RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic or opticalcards, flash memory, or a tangible, machine-readable storage used in thetransmission of information over the Internet via electrical, optical,acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves,infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Accordingly, thenon-transitory computer-readable medium includes any type of tangiblemachine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronicinstructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., acomputer).

As used in any aspect herein, the term “control circuit” may refer to,for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., acomputer processor including one or more individual instructionprocessing cores, processing unit, processor, microcontroller,microcontroller unit, controller, digital signal processor (DSP),programmable logic device (PLD), programmable logic array (PLA), orfield programmable gate array (FPGA)), state machine circuitry, firmwarethat stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry, and anycombination thereof. The control circuit may, collectively orindividually, be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a largersystem, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a system on-chip (SoC), desktop computers,laptop computers, tablet computers, servers, smart phones, etc.Accordingly, as used herein “control circuit” includes, but is notlimited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electricalcircuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit,electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integratedcircuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing deviceconfigured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computerconfigured by a computer program which at least partially carries outprocesses and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessorconfigured by a computer program which at least partially carries outprocesses and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forminga memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electricalcircuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communicationsswitch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the artwill recognize that the subject matter described herein may beimplemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.

As used in one or more aspects of the present disclosure, amicrocontroller may generally comprise a memory and a microprocessor(“processor”) operationally coupled to the memory. The processor maycontrol a motor driver circuit generally utilized to control theposition and velocity of a motor, for example. In certain instances, theprocessor can signal the motor driver to stop and/or disable the motor,for example. In certain instances, the microcontroller may be an LM4F230H5QR, available from Texas Instruments, for example. In at leastone example, the Texas Instruments LM4F230H5QR is an ARM Cortex-M4FProcessor Core comprising on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flashmemory, or other non-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer toimprove performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle serial randomaccess memory (SRAM), internal read-only memory (ROM) loaded withStellarisWare® software, 2 KB electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), one or more pulse width modulation (PWM)modules, one or more quadrature encoder inputs (QEI) analog, one or more12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC) with 12 analog input channels,among other features that are readily available for the productdatasheet.

It should be understood that the term processor as used herein includesany suitable microprocessor, or other basic computing device thatincorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU)on an integrated circuit or at most a few integrated circuits. Theprocessor is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digitaldata as input, processes it according to instructions stored in itsmemory, and provides results as output. It is an example of sequentialdigital logic, as it has internal memory. Processors operate on numbersand symbols represented in the binary numeral system. In at least oneinstance, the processor may be any single core or multicore processorsuch as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by TexasInstruments. Nevertheless, other suitable substitutes formicrocontrollers and safety processor may be employed, withoutlimitation.

As used in any aspect herein, the term “logic” may refer to an app,software, firmware and/or circuitry configured to perform any of theaforementioned operations. Software may be embodied as a softwarepackage, code, instructions, instruction sets and/or data recorded onnon-transitory computer readable storage medium. Firmware may beembodied as code, instructions or instruction sets and/or data that arehard-coded (e.g., nonvolatile) in memory devices.

As used in any aspect herein, the terms “component,” “system,” “module”and the like can refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, acombination of hardware and software, software, or software inexecution.

As used in any aspect herein, an “algorithm” refers to a self-consistentsequence of steps leading to a desired result, where a “step” refers toa manipulation of physical quantities and/or logic states which may,though need not necessarily, take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, andotherwise manipulated. It is common usage to refer to these signals asbits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or thelike. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriatephysical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to thesequantities and/or states.

A network may include a packet switched network. The communicationdevices may be capable of communicating with each other using a selectedpacket switched network communications protocol. One examplecommunications protocol may include an Ethernet communications protocolwhich may be capable permitting communication using a TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The Ethernet protocol maycomply or be compatible with the Ethernet standard published by theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) titled “IEEE802.3 Standard”, published in December, 2008 and/or later versions ofthis standard. Alternatively or additionally, the communication devicesmay be capable of communicating with each other using an X.25communications protocol. The X.25 communications protocol may comply orbe compatible with a standard promulgated by the InternationalTelecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector(ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may becapable of communicating with each other using a frame relaycommunications protocol. The frame relay communications protocol maycomply or be compatible with a standard promulgated by ConsultativeCommittee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) and/or theAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively oradditionally, the transceivers may be capable of communicating with eachother using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications protocol.The ATM communications protocol may comply or be compatible with an ATMstandard published by the ATM Forum titled “ATM-MPLS NetworkInterworking 2.0” published August 2001, and/or later versions of thisstandard. Of course, different and/or after-developedconnection-oriented network communication protocols are equallycontemplated herein.

As used in any aspect herein, a wireless transmission such as, forexample, a wireless communication or a wireless transfer of a datasignal can be achieved, by a device including one or more transceivers.The transceivers may include, but are not limited to cellular modems,wireless mesh network transceivers, Wi-Fi® transceivers, low power widearea (LPWA) transceivers, and/or near field communications transceivers(NFC). The device may include or may be configured to communicate with amobile telephone, a sensor system (e.g., environmental, position,motion, etc.) and/or a sensor network (wired and/or wireless), acomputing system (e.g., a server, a workstation computer, a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer (e.g., iPad®, GalaxyTab®and the like), an ultraportable computer, an ultramobile computer, anetbook computer and/or a subnotebook computer; etc. In at least oneaspect of the present disclosure, one of the devices may be acoordinator node.

The transceivers may be configured to receive serial transmit data viarespective universal asynchronous receiver-transmitters (UARTs) from aprocessor to modulate the serial transmit data onto an RF carrier toproduce a transmit RF signal and to transmit the transmit RF signal viarespective antennas. The transceiver(s) can be further configured toreceive a receive RF signal via respective antennas that includes an RFcarrier modulated with serial receive data, to demodulate the receive RFsignal to extract the serial receive data and to provide the serialreceive data to respective UARTs for provision to the processor. Each RFsignal has an associated carrier frequency and an associated channelbandwidth. The channel bandwidth is associated with the carrierfrequency, the transmit data and/or the receive data. Each RF carrierfrequency and channel bandwidth is related to the operating frequencyrange(s) of the transceiver(s). Each channel bandwidth is furtherrelated to the wireless communication standard and/or protocol withwhich the transceiver(s) may comply. In other words, each transceivermay correspond to an implementation of a selected wireless communicationstandard and/or protocol, e.g., IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n for Wi-Fi® and/orIEEE 802.15.4 for wireless mesh networks using Zigbee routing.

One or more drive systems or drive assemblies, as described herein,employ one or more electric motors. In various forms, the electricmotors may be a DC brushed driving motor, for example. In otherarrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor,a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electricmotor. The electric motors may be powered by a power source that in oneform may comprise a removable power pack. Batteries may each comprise,for example, a Lithium Ion (“LI”) or other suitable battery. Theelectric motors can include rotatable shafts that operably interfacewith gear reducer assemblies, for example. In certain instances, avoltage polarity provided by the power source can operate an electricmotor in a clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied tothe electric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operatethe electric motor in a counter-clockwise direction. In various aspects,a microcontroller controls the electric motor through a motor driver viaa pulse width modulated control signal. The motor driver can beconfigured to adjust the speed of the electric motor either in clockwiseor counter-clockwise direction. The motor driver is also configured toswitch between a plurality of operational modes which include anelectronic motor braking mode, a constant speed mode, an electronicclutching mode, and a controlled current activation mode. In electronicbraking mode, two terminal of the drive motor 200 are shorted and thegenerated back EMF counteracts the rotation of the electric motorallowing for faster stopping and greater positional precision.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the foregoingdisclosure, it is appreciated that, throughout the foregoing disclosure,discussions using terms such as “processing,” “computing,”“calculating,” “determining,” “displaying,” or the like, refer to theaction and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registersand memories into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system memories or registers or othersuch information storage, transmission or display devices.

One or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,”“configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “ableto,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-statecomponents and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-statecomponents, unless context requires otherwise.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in general, terms usedherein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to claims containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitationis explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that suchrecitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recitednumber (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art willappreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed inany order. Also, although various operational flow diagrams arepresented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the variousoperations may be performed in other orders than those which areillustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of suchalternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted,reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous,reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise.Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or otherpast-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude suchvariants, unless context dictates otherwise.

It is worthy to note that any reference to “one aspect,” “an aspect,”“an exemplification,” “one exemplification,” and the like means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, appearances ofthe phrases “in one aspect,” “in an aspect,” “in an exemplification,”and “in one exemplification” in various places throughout thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect.Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, terms “about” or“approximately” as used in the present disclosure, unless otherwisespecified, means an acceptable error for a particular value asdetermined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part onhow the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, theterm “about” or “approximately” means within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standarddeviations. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately”means within 50%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%,0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numericalparameters are to be understood as being prefaced and modified in allinstances by the term “about,” in which the numerical parameters possessthe inherent variability characteristic of the underlying measurementtechniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. Atthe very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of thedoctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numericalparameter described herein should at least be construed in light of thenumber of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Any numerical range recited herein includes all sub-ranges subsumedwithin the recited range. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes allsub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 andthe recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equalto or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10. Also,all ranges recited herein are inclusive of the end points of the recitedranges. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes the end points 1 and10. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this specification isintended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein,and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification isintended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein.Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification,including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed withinthe ranges expressly recited. All such ranges are inherently describedin this specification.

Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or otherdisclosure material referred to in this specification and/or listed inany Application Data Sheet is incorporated by reference herein, to theextent that the incorporated materials is not inconsistent herewith. Assuch, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly setforth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein byreference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to beincorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existingdefinitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth hereinwill only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises betweenthat incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result fromemploying the concepts described herein. The foregoing description ofthe one or more forms has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. The one or more forms were chosen anddescribed in order to illustrate principles and practical application tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the variousforms and with various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the claims submitted herewith definethe overall scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical instrument, comprising: an endeffector configured to grasp tissue, the end effector comprising: a jaw;and a staple cartridge seatable in the jaw, wherein the staple cartridgecomprises at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameterand generate at least one signal indicative thereof, the at least onesensor being characterized by an operational characteristic which may becontrollably adjusted, wherein operation of the at least one sensor tosense the at least one parameter and generate the at least one signalutilizes an amount of available operational resources of the surgicalinstrument based on the operational characteristic; a power sourceconfigured to supply power to the staple cartridge; a transmissionsystem configured to transmit at least one of the power and a datasignal between the staple cartridge and the surgical instrument; and acontrol circuit configured to: determine, during operation of thesurgical instrument, utilization of the available operational resourcesof the surgical instrument as a result of operation of the at least onesensor based on the current operational characteristic; and adjust,based on the determined utilization of the available operationalresources, the operational characteristic to optimize the utilization ofoperational resources by the at least one sensor.
 2. The surgicalinstrument of claim 1, wherein at least one of the power and the datasignal are transmitted wirelessly.
 3. The surgical instrument of claim1, wherein the sensed parameter is one of a tissue parameter or aninstrument parameter.
 4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein theoperational resources comprise amount of available power, amount ofavailable power which can be provided at any one time, amount ofcommunications bandwidth, amount of heat dissipation capacity orcombinations thereof.
 5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein theutilization of the available operational resources of the surgicalinstrument is based on one or both of an amount of the availableoperational resources and a consumption thereof, wherein the utilizationmay increase if the amount of operational resources decreases and/or theconsumption thereof increases.
 6. The surgical instrument of claim 5,wherein the amount of the available operational resources may be reducedby operation of the surgical instrument and/or environmental factorsincluding ambient temperature or radio interference.
 7. The surgicalinstrument of claim 1, wherein the operational characteristic comprisesan accuracy with which the signal represents the sensed parameter andwhich may be controllably varied over a range including a maximumaccuracy.
 8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the operationalcharacteristic of the at least one sensor is controllably adjusted byvarying at least one sensor parameter of the least one sensor, the atleast one sensor parameter comprising one or more of sensor samplingrate, sampling drive current and/or voltage, collection rate, sensordata resolution, sensor-data transmission rate, duration of activation,and/or frequency of activation.
 9. The surgical instrument of claim 1,wherein the operational characteristic of the at least one sensor may becontrollably adjusted by varying an operating mode thereof, theoperating mode being one of inactive, active or idler.
 10. The surgicalinstrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises firstand second sensors, the control circuit being further configured toadjust the operational characteristic of the first sensor different fromthe operational characteristic of the second sensor.
 11. The surgicalinstrument of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configuredto determine an operational state of the surgical instrument and furtheradjust the operational characteristic to optimize the utilization of theavailable operational resources based on the determined operationalstate, the operational state comprising one or more of extra-bodyoperation, articulation of the end effector, clamping of the endeffector, or firing of the staple cartridge.
 12. A method of operating asurgical instrument comprising an end effector configured to grasptissue, the end effector comprising a jaw and a staple cartridgeseatable in the jaw, wherein the staple cartridge comprises at least onesensor configured to sense at least one parameter and generate at leastone signal indicative thereof, the at least one sensor beingcharacterized by an operational characteristic which may be controllablyadjusted, wherein operation of the at least one sensor to sense the atleast one parameter and generate the at least one signal utilizes anamount of available operational resources of the surgical instrumentbased on the operational characteristic, a power source configured tosupply power to the staple cartridge, a transmission system configuredto transmit at least one of the power and a data signal between thestaple cartridge and the surgical instrument, and a control circuit, themethod comprising: determining, by the control circuit during operationof the surgical instrument, utilization of the available operationalresources of the surgical instrument as a result of operation of the atleast one sensor based on the current operational characteristic; andadjusting, by the control circuit based on the determined utilization ofthe available operational resources, the operational characteristic tooptimize the utilization of operational resources by the at least onesensor.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the powerand the data signal are transmitted wirelessly.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein the sensed parameter is one of a tissue parameter or aninstrument parameter.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein theoperational resources comprise amount of available power, amount ofavailable power which can be provided at any one time, amount ofcommunications bandwidth, amount of heat dissipation capacity orcombinations thereof.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein theutilization of the available operational resources of the surgicalinstrument is based on one or both of an amount of the availableoperational resources and a consumption thereof, wherein the utilizationmay increase if the amount of operational resources decreases and/or theconsumption thereof increases.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein theamount of the available operational resources may be reduced byoperation of the surgical instrument and/or environmental factorsincluding ambient temperature or radio interference.
 18. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the operational characteristic comprises an accuracywith which the signal represents the sensed parameter and which may becontrollably varied over a range including a maximum accuracy.
 19. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the operational characteristic of the atleast one sensor is controllably adjusted by varying at least one sensorparameter of the least one sensor, the at least one sensor parametercomprising one or more of sensor sampling rate, sampling drive currentand/or voltage, collection rate, sensor data resolution, sensor-datatransmission rate, duration of activation, and/or frequency ofactivation.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the operationalcharacteristic of the at least one sensor may be controllably adjustedby varying an operating mode thereof, the operating mode being one ofinactive, active or idler.
 21. The method of claim 12, wherein the atleast one sensor comprises first and second sensors, the method furthercomprising adjusting, by the control circuit, the operationalcharacteristic of the first sensor different from the operationalcharacteristic of the second sensor.
 22. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising determining, by the control circuit, an operational state ofthe surgical instrument and further adjusting the operationalcharacteristic to optimize the utilization of the available operationalresources based on the determined operational state, the operationalstate comprising one or more of extra-body operation, articulation ofthe end effector, clamping of the end effector, or firing of the staplecartridge.
 23. A system for operating a surgical instrument comprisingan end effector configured to grasp tissue, the end effector comprisinga jaw and a staple cartridge seatable in the jaw, wherein the staplecartridge comprises at least one sensor configured to sense at least oneparameter and generate at least one signal indicative thereof, the atleast one sensor being characterized by an operational characteristicwhich may be controllably adjusted, wherein operation of the at leastone sensor to sense the at least one parameter and generate the at leastone signal utilizes an amount of available operational resources of thesurgical instrument based on the operational characteristic, a powersource configured to supply power to the staple cartridge, atransmission system configured to transmit at least one of the power anda data signal between the staple cartridge and the surgical instrument,and a control circuit, the method comprising: means for determiningduring operation of the surgical instrument, utilization of theavailable operational resources of the surgical instrument as a resultof operation of the at least one sensor based on the current operationalcharacteristic; and means for adjusting, based on the determinedutilization of the available operational resources, the operationalcharacteristic to optimize the utilization of operational resources bythe at least one sensor.